Coenogamete

/ˌsiːnoʊˈɡæmiːt/ noun

Definition

A gamete or reproductive cell that arises from a coenocyte and may contain multiple nuclei.

Etymology

From Greek koinos (common) + gamete (marriage/reproductive cell), combining the concept of shared nuclei with sexual reproduction, used in protist and fungal biology.

Kelly Says

Some fungi and protists produce sex cells that already have multiple nuclei bundled inside—imagine sperm or eggs that are already like tiny multinucleated organisms themselves.

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