egg cell

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egg cell

A scientist examines a large, detailed diagram of an egg cell under a bright light.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The female reproductive cell; the female gamete: An egg cell is a specialized haploid cell produced by female organisms, capable of fusing with a male gamete (sperm) during fertilization to form a new organism.
Usage
  • The term "egg cell" is used in biological and medical contexts to refer specifically to the female gamete in animals, including humans.
  • It is a formal, scientific term. In everyday conversation, especially regarding humans, the simpler term "egg" is more common.
  • It is typically used as a countable noun (e.g., an egg cell, egg cells).
Examples
  • Noun:
    • During ovulation, a mature egg cell is released from the ovary.
    • The sperm must penetrate the outer layer of the egg cell for fertilization to occur.
    • In vitro fertilization involves combining an egg cell and sperm cell outside the body.
Advanced Usage
  • "Donor egg cell": An egg cell provided by one woman (the donor) for use in another woman's fertility treatment.
    • The couple used a donor egg cell to conceive.
  • "Egg cell donation": The process of giving one's egg cells for use in assisted reproduction.
    • She considered egg cell donation to help others start a family.
Variants and Related Words
  • Egg (n): The common, less formal term for an egg cell, especially in non-scientific contexts. Also refers to the reproductive body laid by female birds, reptiles, etc.
    • A human egg is visible only under a microscope.
  • Ovum (n): A formal synonym for egg cell, often used in scientific literature. The plural is .
    • The ovum contains half the genetic material needed for an embryo.
  • Oocyte (n): A cell in an early stage of egg cell development; an immature egg cell.
    • The primary oocyte will undergo meiosis to become a mature egg cell.
Synonyms
  • Female gamete: The precise biological term for a reproductive cell.
  • Ovum: A direct synonym used in technical contexts.
Related Phrases
  • Fertilized egg cell: An egg cell that has successfully fused with a sperm cell, forming a zygote.
    • The fertilized egg cell began to divide.
  • Egg cell quality: A term used in fertility medicine to describe the health and viability of egg cells.
    • The doctor discussed how age can affect egg cell quality.
egg cell

A scientist examines a large, detailed diagram of an egg cell under a bright light.

Noun
  1. the female reproductive cell; the female gamete

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