Question

Syngamy means
A) Fusion of gametes
B) Fusion of cytoplasms
C) Fusion of two similar spores
D) Fusion of two dissimilar spores

Answer 1

Spores are small, microscopic single celled reproductive structures. They are present in non-flowering plants, alage, fungi and bacteria.

Complete answer:
Let us analyse the options to find the correct answer.

Option A: Fusion of gametes happens when the male nucleus and egg nuclei fuse and this process is known as syngamy. There are other names for this process, like, fertilization or amphimixis. It is a sexual mode of fertilization and leads to genetic recombination because of which variation is seen. Therefore this is the correct option.
Option B: The process by which fusion of cytoplasm takes places is known as plasmogamy and not syngamy. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.
Option C: Isogamy is the process by which two spores fuse and not syngamy. Therefore, this is the incorrect option.

Thus, the correct option is (A) Fusion of gametes.

Additional information: The importance of syngamy is as follows,

It helps in continuity of the organism.
It helps in producing variations.

Note: In syngamy, fusion of sperm and egg leads to formation of diploid zygote. There are three types of syngamy,

Oogamy - Gametes with different mobility fuse
Isogamy - Two similar gametes fuse
Heterogamy - Two different size gametes fuse, usually the female is larger and male is smaller in size.