Q.What is the difference between syngamy and fertilization?

Step 1. Syngamy is defined broadly, as the fusion of two haploid gametes to produce a diploid zygote - this definition covers every kind of gamete fusion across the whole animal kingdom, including isogamy (identical gametes), anisogamy (dissimilar gametes) and the various forms discussed in the chapter (autogamy, exogamy, hologamy, paedogamy, merogamy).

Step 2. Anisogamy specifically is the fusion of two dissimilar gametes, and the chapter notes that this is the pattern seen throughout higher animals - all higher invertebrates and every vertebrate.

Step 3. Even though anisogamy is technically just one kind of syngamy, the chapter states that in higher animals it is customary to use the word 'fertilization' instead of the more general terms 'anisogamy' or 'syngamy' when referring to this dissimilar-gamete fusion. …

Trace how the chapter defines syngamy broadly and then narrows to 'fertilization' specif …

• Treating syngamy and fertilization as describing two different biological processes, rather than recognising fertilization as the customary name for one specific case (anisogamy) of the broader syngamy category. …