Fertilization
The fusion of male and female gametes (sex cells) to form a new individual. In sexual reproduction, fertilization combines genetic material from two parents.
Used in the Books
This term appears in 3 chapters:
"...n infrastructure to capture it. In greenhouse experiments, researchers can force plants to over-invest in shoots by providing perfect irrigation and fertilization. The plants grow taller, faster. But the moment you remove the life support, they collapse. Their root systems are inadequate for independent surviva..."
"Hanlon, R. T., Naud, M. J., Shaw, P. W., & Havenhand, J. N. (2005). "Transient sexual mimicry leads to fertilization." Nature, 433(7023), 212. [Cuttlefish deceptive signaling] Mimicry and Deception: 10. Pfennig, D. W., Harcombe, W. R., & Pfennig, K. S."
"...ecies hosts a species-specific wasp that pollinates the fig while laying eggs in some flowers; the developing wasps consume some seeds but facilitate fertilization of remaining seeds; neither figs nor wasps can reproduce without the other. This obligate interdependence means neither partner can cheat by withhold..."
Biological Context
Fertilization can be external (eggs and sperm meet outside the body) or internal. It involves recognition between gametes, fusion of cell membranes, and combination of genetic material. Fertilization triggers development in the resulting zygote.
Business Application
Business fertilization: combining resources or capabilities from two parties to create something new. Mergers, joint ventures, and partnerships are fertilization events—they combine different 'genetic material' to produce offspring with characteristics of both parents.