The spelling of "alecithal ovum" may seem complex, but it can be broken down using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription. The word is pronounced /ˌælɪˈsaɪθəl ˈoʊvəm/, with the stress on the second syllable of "alecithal" and the first syllable of "ovum." In this term, "alecithal" refers to an egg that lacks yolk, while "ovum" simply means egg. This spelling is commonly used in the field of biology and can be useful for those interested in reproductive systems and embryonic development.
The term "alecithal ovum" refers to a type of egg or ovum found in certain animals, particularly invertebrates and many fish species. The word is derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without" and "lekythos" meaning "yolk."
An alecithal ovum is characterized by its lack of yolk or a very minimal amount of yolk compared to other types of eggs. Yolk, a nutrient-rich substance, is typically present in eggs and serves as a source of nourishment for the developing embryo. However, alecithal ova have relatively little yolk, which means that the embryos developing from these eggs rely on alternative sources of nutrition, such as maternal care or external food sources, to sustain their growth and development.
These eggs are often smaller in size compared to yolk-rich eggs and are typically released in large numbers. Alecithal ova are commonly found in species that undergo external fertilization, where fertilization takes place outside the female's body, or in species that exhibit internal fertilization but have reduced yolk provision to their eggs.
Due to their limited nutrient reserves, alecithal ova generally develop with a relatively shorter incubation period compared to eggs with larger yolk supplies. Additionally, the lack of yolk in alecithal ova allows for greater efficiency in terms of water uptake, as they do not have to retain excessive amounts of water for yolk utilization.
Overall, an alecithal ovum is a specific type of egg that lacks or has minimal yolk, requiring alternative sources of nourishment for the developing embryo and exhibiting some distinct characteristics compared to other types of eggs.
An o. in which the foodyolk is absent or consists of a few particles uniformly distributed.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The term "alecithal ovum" is composed of two parts: "alecithal" and "ovum".
The word "alecithal" is of Greek origin. "Alecithal" is derived from the Greek words "a-" meaning "without" and "lekythos" meaning "egg yolk". Therefore, "alecithal" means "lacking egg yolk".
The word "ovum" comes from the Latin word "ovum", meaning "egg". It has been used in biological contexts to refer to the female reproductive cell or gamete.
In combination, "alecithal ovum" is a term used in embryology to describe an egg cell that lacks yolk, or has a minimal amount of it.