The Gametoid Theory is a scientific concept that proposes that gametocytes - the male and female reproductive cells - are the basis of the genetic makeup of all living things. The spelling of "gametoid theory" is derived from the IPA phonetic transcription, which is /ˈɡæmɪˌtɔɪd ˈθiəri/. The first syllable "gamet" is pronounced as 'ga-met' with the stress on the first syllable, while "oid" is pronounced as 'oyd'. The second syllable "theory" is pronounced as 'thee-or-ee,' with the stress on the first syllable.
Gametoid theory is a concept in biology that suggests the existence of a type of cell division in multicellular organisms where the process resembles the formation of gametes. Gametes are the reproductive cells such as sperm and egg that unite during fertilization to create a new organism.
This theory proposes that under certain conditions, somatic cells (non-reproductive cells) in multicellular organisms have the potential to undergo a specialized form of division similar to meiosis, the cell division process that generates gametes. In this cell division, a somatic cell would undergo a reduction in its chromosome number and produce daughter cells with half the number of chromosomes.
The gametoid theory suggests that these daughter cells could then differentiate into new specialized cells with different functions compared to the original somatic cell. This concept implies that cells in multicellular organisms have the ability to regain some of the properties associated with their ancestral reproductive cells.
Although the gametoid theory is still a topic of debate and research, it offers an alternative perspective on cell differentiation and the potential mechanisms that drive cellular diversity in multicellular organisms. Further investigation and evidence are required to validate and understand the full implications of this theory.
The theory that the malignancy of a tumor is due to the fact that the cells have assumed sexual characteristics and live as parasites upon the organism.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.