Meroblastic is a term used in biology to describe incomplete division of an egg, where only a portion of the cytoplasm undergoes mitosis. The correct pronunciation of this word is /mɛrəʊˈblæstɪk/, with the first syllable sounding like "merry" without the "y". The "o" in the second syllable is pronounced like "aw". The stress is on the second syllable, and the final "-ic" is pronounced like "ick". Improved understanding of the spelling and phonetic transcription of Meroblastic will aid in effective communication among biologists.
Meroblastic refers to a type of embryonic development that occurs only in a portion of the egg. This term is commonly used in the field of biology to describe the pattern of cleavage, or cell division, that takes place during the early stages of embryogenesis.
In meroblastic development, cleavage occurs only in a small portion of the egg, while the rest remains relatively undivided. This is in contrast to holoblastic cleavage, where the entire egg undergoes full division. The reason for meroblastic cleavage is usually due to the presence of a large amount of yolk in the egg, which restricts the movement and division of the cells.
Meroblastic cleavage can be further divided into two types: superficial and discoidal cleavage. In superficial cleavage, cells divide only in the outermost layer of the egg, which forms a single layer of cells surrounding the yolk. This is commonly seen in insects and other arthropods.
On the other hand, discoidal cleavage occurs only in a disc-shaped area of the egg, while the yolk remains intact. This type of cleavage is observed in many reptiles and birds. The cells surrounding the disc-shaped area give rise to the embryo, while the yolk provides essential nutrients for its development.
Overall, meroblastic development is an important process in embryology as it plays a crucial role in the early formation and growth of certain organisms, allowing them to develop and survive in their respective environments.
Noting an ovum the yolk of which is large and contains nutrient material, such as the eggs of birds, reptiles, and fishes; the opposite of holoblastic.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "meroblastic" is derived from two roots: "mero" and "blast".
1. "Mero": This root comes from the ancient Greek word "meros", meaning "part" or "portion".
2. "Blast": This comes from the ancient Greek word "blastos", which means "germ" or "bud".
When combined, these roots form the term "meroblastic", which is used to describe a type of embryonic development in which only a portion of the egg or zygote undergoes division, while the remaining part remains undivided. It is commonly used in the field of biology and embryology.