sperm cell
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
- Noun:
- The male reproductive cell; the male gamete: A sperm cell is a specialized cell produced by males, whose function is to fertilize a female egg cell (ovum). It is typically characterized by a head containing genetic material, a midpiece that provides energy, and a tail (flagellum) that enables movement.
Usage
- The term "sperm cell" is used in biological, medical, and general contexts to refer specifically to the male gamete. It is a precise, scientific term.
- Example: "For fertilization to occur, a sperm cell must penetrate the outer layer of the egg."
Examples
- Noun:
- Under the microscope, a single sperm cell can be seen propelling itself forward.
- The genetic information from the father is carried within the sperm cell.
- The doctor explained that the quality of the sperm cell is crucial for conception.
Advanced Usage
- "Motile sperm cell": A sperm cell that is capable of movement, which is essential for reaching the egg.
- The fertility test measures the percentage of motile sperm cells in a sample.
- "Sperm cell count": A measurement of the number of sperm cells present in a given volume of semen.
- A low sperm cell count can be a factor in male infertility.
Variants and Related Words
- Sperm (n): The more common, shortened form of "sperm cell." It can refer to a single cell or to semen collectively.
- The sample contained millions of sperm.
- Spermatozoon (n, plural: spermatozoa): The full, formal biological term for a mature sperm cell.
- Gamete (n): A general term for a reproductive cell (sperm cell in males, egg cell in females).
Synonyms
- Male gamete: The formal biological synonym.
- Spermatozoon: The technical synonym.
Related Terms and Phrases
- Fertilization: The process where a sperm cell and an egg cell unite.
- Flagellum: The whip-like tail of a sperm cell that provides motility.
- Nucleus: The part of the sperm cell's head that contains the paternal chromosomes.
Noun
- the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
- a sperm is mostly a nucleus surrounded by little other cellular material