A zygote is formed during conception, when the sperm and the egg meet. An embryo and a zygote a differentiated by timing.

Sperm and egg cells only have half of the number of chromosomes as their parent cells do. Cells of this nature are referred to as haploid cells. When they are combined, they become completed with the accurate number of chromosomes.

Zygotes are very small in size. The cells within it will divide and multiply quickly; however, the size of the zygote will never grow larger. Before it implants into the uterine lining, the zygote becomes hollow from hosting all of those cells.

When a zygote splits each will develop it's own embryo and identical twins are the result. This should not be mistaken with the events that occur with fraternal twins. The process is completely different as with fraternal twins there was two separate eggs fertilized by two separate sperm cells in the beginning.

The simplest explanation of a zygote is, anytime sperm and egg join the result will be a zygote. A zygote is the immediate product of this event. This is true; not only in humans, but also when it comes to flowering plants, fungi, ferns and animals.

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