What is Isogamy?

Isogamete refers to a gamete (sperm or egg cell) that has the same genetic makeup as another gamete. In other words, isogametes are gametes that are genetically identical. This can occur in some organisms where the male and female reproductive cells are produced from the same set of cells, rather than from separate sets of cells.

In these organisms, the isogametes are able to fertilize each other directly, without the need for any additional genetic material or recombination. This can result in offspring that are genetically identical to either parent, or that have a mix of genetic traits from both parents.

Isogamy is relatively rare in animals, but it is more common in plants and fungi. In some species of fungi, for example, the male and female reproductive structures are produced from the same set of cells, and the gametes are therefore isogametic.