sperm

/spə:m/

Thân thiện

A sperm fertilizes an egg to begin the process of life.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • The male reproductive cell; the male gamete: A sperm is a microscopic cell produced by males, capable of fertilizing a female egg (ovum) to initiate the creation of a new organism. It is primarily composed of genetic material (a nucleus) contained within a head, with a tail (flagellum) that provides motility.

Usage

• As a countable noun: Refers to individual male gamete cells.
  • Under the microscope, we observed a single sperm swimming toward the egg.
  • The fertility test measures the count and health of a man's sperm.
• As an uncountable noun (sperm) or in the plural form (sperm): Can refer to semen, the fluid containing sperm cells, or to the cells collectively.
  • The sample contained healthy sperm.
  • Sperm production occurs in the testes.

Examples

• Scientific/Biological Context:
  • The egg cell is fertilized by a single sperm.
  • Sperm cells carry half the genetic information needed to form an embryo.
• Medical/Health Context:
  • Factors like diet and lifestyle can affect sperm quality.
  • The clinic offers sperm analysis for couples trying to conceive.

Advanced Usage

• "Sperm count": A measure of the number of sperm present in a given amount of semen.
  • A low sperm count can make conception more difficult.
• "Sperm donor": A man who provides sperm, typically for use in artificial insemination or in vitro fertilization.
  • They chose an anonymous sperm donor from a reputable bank.

Variants and Related Words

• Spermatozoon (plural: spermatozoa): The formal, singular biological term for a mature sperm cell.
  • The structure of a spermatozoon is adapted for movement and fertilization.
• Spermatic (adj): Relating to sperm or to the male reproductive organs.
  • The spermatic cord carries sperm from the testicles.
• Spermato-: A combining form used in scientific terms related to sperm (e.g., spermatogenesis: the process of sperm production).

Synonyms

• Male gamete: The technical term for a reproductive cell.
• Sperm cell: A more descriptive synonym.
• Spermatozoon: The formal biological synonym.

Related Phrases and Compounds

• Sperm whale: A large whale species, historically hunted for spermaceti oil found in its head. (Note: This is a distinct compound noun where "sperm" does not refer to the reproductive cell).
• Spermaceti: A waxy substance found in the head of the sperm whale, used historically in candles and ointments.

Học thuật

Noun

1. the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
   • a sperm is mostly a nucleus surrounded by little other cellular material

Từ đồng nghĩa

• sperm cell
• spermatozoon
• spermatozoan