The term "fertilized ovum" refers to the union of a sperm and an egg, resulting in the formation of a zygote. The pronunciation of this word can be broken down using IPA phonetic transcription as "ˈfɜː(r)tɪlaɪzd ˈəʊvəm", with the stress on the first syllable. The spelling of this word can be easily understood if one is familiar with the use of "z" versus "s" in American versus British English. In American English, the word is spelled "fertilized ovum," while in British English, it is spelled "fertilised ovum."
A fertilized ovum, also known as a zygote, refers to the initial stage of development in sexual reproduction, particularly in animals. It is the result of the fusion of a sperm cell from the male parent and an egg cell from the female parent during the process of fertilization. At this stage, the genetic material from both parents combines to form a unique set of chromosomes that will determine the characteristics and traits of the offspring.
The fertilized ovum is a single cell with the potential to develop into a new individual. It undergoes a series of rapid cell divisions through a process called cleavage, forming a cluster of cells known as an embryo. As it moves through the reproductive tract, the fertilized ovum undergoes further division and starts to differentiate into distinct cell types and tissues.
Within a few days after fertilization, the embryo implants itself into the uterine wall, beginning the process of pregnancy. From this point forward, further development and growth of the embryo occur, leading to the formation of organs, limbs, and eventually a fully formed fetus.
Understanding the concept of a fertilized ovum is crucial in reproductive biology, as it marks the inception of new life and the beginning of an intricate process that ultimately results in the birth of a new organism.
The fertilized ovum.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "fertilized ovum" can be broken down into its constituent parts to understand its etymology.
The term "ovum" comes from the Latin word "ovum", which means "egg". It has Indo-European roots and is related to the Greek word "ōión".
The word "fertilized" comes from the Latin word "fertilis", which means "fruitful" or "productive". It is derived from the verb "fero", which means "to bear" or "to carry".
Therefore, the term "fertilized ovum" refers to an egg that has been made productive or fruitful through the process of fertilization, where the egg merges with a sperm cell to form a zygote.