spermatozoan

/,spə:mətou'zouə/ Cách viết khác : (spermatozoal) /,spə:mətou'zouid/
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spermatozoan

A spermatozoan fertilizes an egg cell.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • The male reproductive cell; the male gamete: A microscopic, motile cell produced in the testes of male animals, whose function is to fertilize a female egg (ovum). It is characterized by a head containing genetic material (nucleus), a midpiece that provides energy, and a tail (flagellum) for movement.
Usage
  • As a countable noun: The term refers to a single, individual male reproductive cell.
    • Under the microscope, we observed a single spermatozoan swimming toward the egg.
    • The fertility test measures the concentration and motility of spermatozoans in a sample.
Advanced Usage
  • Scientific and Medical Context: The term is primarily used in formal, academic, or medical writing. In everyday conversation, the simpler term "sperm" is far more common.
    • The study focused on the molecular structure of the spermatozoan's acrosome.
  • Plural Forms: The standard plural is "spermatozoa." "Spermatozoans" is also acceptable but less common in technical literature.
    • The sample contained millions of spermatozoa.
Variants and Related Words
  • Spermatozoon (n): The singular form, often used interchangeably with "spermatozoan" in scientific texts.
  • Sperm (n): The common, everyday term for a spermatozoan or, collectively, for semen.
  • Spermatozoal (adj): Relating to or of the nature of spermatozoa.
    • Spermatozoal motility is a key factor in fertility.
  • Spermatozoic (adj): Another adjective form meaning pertaining to spermatozoa.
Synonyms
  • Sperm cell: A direct synonym.
  • Male gamete: The biological classification.
  • Sperm: The common, simplified synonym.
Notes on Meaning
  • The word specifically denotes the complete, mature male sex cell. It is not used to refer to semen (the fluid containing spermatozoa) or to male fertility in a general sense. Its usage is almost exclusively biological.
spermatozoan

A spermatozoan fertilizes an egg cell.

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

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