Here's a breakdown:
* Formation: A zygote forms during the process of fertilization, where a sperm cell from the father and an egg cell from the mother fuse together.
* Genetic Material: The zygote carries half of its chromosomes (genetic instructions) from the father and half from the mother. This combination of genetic material determines the unique characteristics of the developing individual.
* Development: The zygote starts to divide rapidly through a process called mitosis, creating many identical cells. These cells differentiate and form tissues and organs, eventually leading to the development of a complete organism.
In simpler terms, think of the zygote as the very first building block for a new human being.