What is karyogamy?

Karyogamy refers specifically to the fusion of two nuclei in the process of sexual reproduction in organisms, particularly fungi. This process typically occurs following the fusion of cytoplasms from two gametes, a phenomenon known as plasmogamy. Karyogamy is a crucial step in the life cycle of many eukaryotic organisms, as it results in the formation of a diploid nucleus, which can lead to genetic recombination and increased genetic diversity in subsequent generations.

The term is distinct from other cellular processes. For example, the fusion of cytoplasms pertains to plasmogamy rather than karyogamy itself. The division of cells involves mitosis or meiosis, but karyogamy does not pertain to cell division; it is specifically about the merging of nuclei. Absorption of nutrients refers to the way organisms, especially fungi and plants, take up substances from their environment, which is separate from the reproductive process and nuclear fusion. Thus, the definition of karyogamy is precisely about the fusion of male and female nuclei, making this choice accurate in the biological context of reproduction.