A zygote depends on the surrounding environment for water and nutrients. Here's a breakdown:

* In animals: The zygote, formed by the fusion of sperm and egg, develops within the mother's body. It receives water and nutrients from the mother's bloodstream through the placenta.

* In plants: The zygote develops within the seed, which provides a protected environment. The seed contains a food reserve (endosperm) that provides the zygote with water and nutrients until it develops roots and can draw these directly from the soil.

Key points:

* Zygotes are entirely dependent: They lack the structures and processes to obtain water and nutrients independently.

* Dependence varies: The source of water and nutrients differs between animals and plants due to their different reproductive strategies.

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