sex cell

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Thân thiện
Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A specialized reproductive cell: A "sex cell" is a biological cell that fuses with another sex cell during fertilization in organisms that reproduce sexually. It is responsible for transmitting genetic material (DNA) to the offspring.
    • Synonymous with gamete: The term is synonymous with "gamete." The male sex cell is a spermatozoon (sperm), and the female sex cell is an ovum (egg).
Usage Examples
  • Noun:
    • The fusion of a male and a female sex cell is called fertilization.
    • Each parent contributes one sex cell to form a new organism.
    • Scientists studied the structure of the plant's sex cells.
Advanced Usage
  • In genetics and developmental biology: The term is used to discuss heredity, meiosis (the cell division that produces sex cells), and genetic variation.
    • Mutations in a sex cell can be passed on to future generations.
  • In botany: Used to refer to the gametes of plants, such as pollen (male) and ovules (female).
    • The pollen grain contains the plant's male sex cell.
Variants and Related Words
  • Gamete (n): The precise scientific term for a sex cell.
  • Spermatozoon / Sperm (n): The mature male sex cell.
  • Ovum / Egg (n): The mature female sex cell.
  • Germ cell (n): A broader term for a cell that gives rise to gametes or sex cells.
Synonyms
  • Gamete: The direct synonym in biological contexts.
  • Reproductive cell: A more descriptive synonym.
Related Phrases
  • Sex cell division: Refers to meiosis, the process by which sex cells are formed.
    • Sex cell division reduces the chromosome number by half.
  • Sex cell maturation: The process by which gametes become fully functional.
    • Hormones regulate sex cell maturation.
Notes on Meaning
  • The term "sex cell" specifically denotes a haploid cell (containing half the genetic material) whose function is sexual reproduction. It is distinct from somatic cells, which make up the rest of the body.
  • While "sex cell" and "gamete" are interchangeable, "gamete" is more common in formal scientific writing.
Noun
  1. a spermatozoon or an ovum; a cell responsible for transmitting DNA to the next generation

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