What is the name given to the cell formed by the fusion of two gametes?

The cell formed by the fusion of two gametes is called a zygote. This process occurs during fertilization, where the male gamete (sperm) and the female gamete (oocyte) unite to create a single diploid cell, the zygote. This zygote contains genetic material from both parents, thus establishing the genetic foundation for the subsequent development of an organism.

As development progresses, the zygote undergoes a series of divisions and changes, eventually leading to the formation of an embryo. The term "zygote" specifically refers to this initial stage immediately after fertilization, distinguishing it from other stages of development such as the blastocyst, which is a later stage in embryonic development characterized by a specific structure and arrangement of cells.