Submitted by [deleted] t3_126zf9l in explainlikeimfive
Jkei t1_jebsoxl wrote
Reply to comment by [deleted] in ELI5: Where did my first living cell come from? by [deleted]
You mean fertilization? Egg and sperm cells are unique in that they carry half genomes, which conveniently make a whole one again when you put the two together. The sperm in this case contributes pretty much just that genetic information to make the egg complete.
The egg then goes on to multiply, and is therefore the common ancestor of every single cell that will ever be a part of you -- and your own descendants, if any.
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