What is "zoid"

In botany, a zoid or zoïd is a reproductive cell that possesses one or more flagella, and is capable of independent movement. Zoid can refer to either an asexually reproductive spore or a sexually reproductive gamete. In sexually reproductive gametes, zoids can be either male or female depending on the species. For example, some brown alga ( Phaeophyceae) reproduce by producing multi-flagellated male and female gametes that recombine to form the diploid sporangia. Zoids are primarily found in some protists, diatoms, green alga, brown alga, non-vascular plants, and a few vascular plants ( ferns, cycads, and Ginkgo biloba). The most common classification group that produces zoids is the heterokonts or stramenopiles. These include green alga, brown alga, oomycetes, and some protists. The term is generally not used to describe motile, flagellated sperm found in animals. Zoid is also commonly confused for zooid which is one single-celled organism that is part of a colonial animal.

Zoid may refer to:

• Zoids; reproductive cells that possess one or more flagella, and are capable of independent movement.
• Zoids; fictional mecha created by TOMY that form the basis of a toy and anime franchise.
• One of two characters from Futurama:
  • Doctor Zoidberg; a lobster-like alien and one of the main characters.
  • Harold Zoid; Zoidberg's uncle, appearing only in the episode That's Lobstertainment!
• Karen Zoid, a South African rock singer, guitarist and songwriter