Fertilization is the process through which a sperm cell joins with an egg cell to create a new organism. This process typically occurs in sexual reproduction, where male and female reproductive cells come together to form a zygote, which then develops into an embryo. Fertilization is a crucial step in the reproduction of plants and animals, and involves complex interactions between the sperm and egg cells, as well as the surrounding environment. Researchers studying fertilization often focus on mechanisms of sperm-egg recognition, processes of fusion between the cells, and the subsequent development of the embryo. This area of research is essential for understanding the fundamental principles of reproduction and can have important implications for human fertility, agriculture, and conservation efforts.