spermatozoon
/,spə:mətou'zouɔn/
Definition
- Noun:
- The male reproductive cell; the male gamete: A microscopic, motile cell produced in the testes, whose function is to fertilize a female egg (ovum). A spermatozoon consists primarily of a head containing genetic material (nucleus), a midpiece that provides energy, and a tail (flagellum) for movement.
Examples of Usage
- Noun:
- Under the microscope, the biologist observed a single spermatozoon swimming toward the egg.
- Fertilization occurs when a spermatozoon successfully penetrates the outer layer of the ovum.
Advanced Usage
- Scientific/Medical Context: The term "spermatozoon" (plural: spermatozoa) is the formal, biological term used in academic, medical, and scientific writing.
- The study focused on the motility and morphology of human spermatozoa.
Variants and Related Words
- Sperm (n): The more common, general term for a male reproductive cell. "Sperm" can refer to a single cell (synonymous with a spermatozoon) or collectively to semen.
- Spermatozoa (n): The plural form of spermatozoon.
- Spermatic (adj): Relating to sperm or semen.
- The spermatic cord delivers blood to the testes.
Synonyms
- Sperm cell: A direct synonym.
- Male gamete: A functional description.
- Sperm: The common, everyday synonym.
Related Phrases / Collocations
- Spermatozoon motility: Refers to the swimming ability of the cell.
- Spermatozoon count: A measure of the number of spermatozoa in a given sample.
- Spermatozoon morphology: The study of the size and shape of spermatozoa.
Noun
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the male reproductive cell; the male gamete
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a sperm is mostly a nucleus surrounded by little other cellular material
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