What is zygote?

A zygote is indeed defined as a fertilized egg formed by the union of sperm and egg. This process occurs during sexual reproduction when a male gamete (sperm) fertilizes a female gamete (egg), resulting in a single cell known as a zygote. This cell contains a complete set of genetic material, half from each parent, and is the first stage in the development of a new organism.

The formation of a zygote marks the beginning of a new life cycle and is crucial for the propagation of species through sexual reproduction. It undergoes numerous cell divisions and developmental stages, eventually leading to the formation of a multicellular organism.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately describe a zygote. An unfertilized egg, for instance, has not yet undergone fertilization and therefore cannot be called a zygote. Cloning procedures in plants involve creating genetically identical organisms from a single donor organism, which does not relate to the formation of a zygote. Additionally, a form of asexual reproduction is a process that does not involve the fusion of gametes, which is the foundation of what a zygote is.