What is the primary outcome of fertilization?

The primary outcome of fertilization is the creation of a zygote. Fertilization occurs when a sperm cell successfully merges with an egg cell, resulting in a single cell called a zygote. This zygote contains a complete set of genetic material—half from the sperm and half from the egg—which carries the genetic instructions for the development of a new organism.

While the exchange of genetic material does occur during this process, its immediate and significant outcome is the formation of the zygote, which marks the beginning of a new individual’s development. This zygote then undergoes multiple divisions and differentiations to eventually develop into a fetus, but this later stage comes after the initial creation of the zygote. Therefore, the formation of the zygote is the fundamental and direct result of fertilization.