A type of sexual reproduction where the two gametes (sex cells) that fuse together are significantly different in size, shape, or structure.
From Greek 'anisos' (unequal) + 'gamy' (from 'gamos,' marriage). The term was coined in the late 1800s to classify reproductive strategies in microorganisms and plants.
Biologists think anisogamy might have evolved because specialization works: one gamete becomes a huge nutrient storage unit (egg), while the other becomes a tiny delivery vehicle (sperm), rather than both being mediocre at both jobs!
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