self-fertilisation

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Word: Self-fertilisation

Part of Speech: Noun

Definition: Self-fertilisation is the process where an organism uses its own male and female reproductive cells to create offspring. In simpler terms, it means that one individual can produce new life without needing a partner. This is common in some plants and certain animals.

Usage Instructions:

• Use "self-fertilisation" when discussing reproduction in biology, particularly when talking about organisms that can reproduce by themselves.
• You might see it in sentences related to plants, like flowers, or in some types of animals, such as certain snails or worms.

Example:

• "The plant can reproduce through self-fertilisation, allowing it to grow in isolated areas without needing another plant."

Advanced Usage:

• In scientific contexts, you might encounter discussions about the advantages and disadvantages of self-fertilisation in terms of genetic diversity.

Word Variants:

• The British English spelling is "self-fertilisation," while American English uses "self-fertilization."
• Related words include "fertilisation" (British) or "fertilization" (American) which refers to the overall process of combining male and female gametes, regardless of whether it is self-fertilisation or external fertilisation.

Different Meaning:

• The term "fertilisation" in other contexts usually refers to the process of making soil more fertile or nourishing, which is different from the biological meaning.

Synonyms:

• Self-pollination (specifically for plants)
• Autogamy (a scientific term used for self-fertilisation in plants and certain organisms)

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:

• There aren’t specific idioms or phrasal verbs directly related to "self-fertilisation," but you can think of it as a unique way of "going solo" in reproduction.

Summary:

Self-fertilisation is a unique reproductive strategy that allows some organisms to reproduce independently.

Academic

Noun

1. fertilization by the union of male and female gametes from the same individual

Synonyms

• self-fertilization