MICROGAMETOCYTE Meaning and
Definition
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A microgametocyte, also known as a microgametocyte stage, is a specialized cell found in certain organisms, especially in the field of biology and specifically in the study of reproductive processes in plants and animals. It refers to a male gametocyte, which is a precursor cell that eventually develops into male gametes or sex cells.
During the process of sexual reproduction, microgametocytes undergo division and differentiation to produce microgametes or sperm cells, which contain half the number of chromosomes as compared to the parent cells. This reduction helps in maintaining the correct chromosome number when the sperm fertilizes the female gametes or eggs.
Microgametocytes are commonly found in plants and a variety of animal species, such as insects, mollusks, and vertebrates. In plants, microgametocytes are developed from microspore mother cells within the anther, which is the male reproductive structure. In animals, these cells are produced within the testes or the equivalent male reproductive organ.
The term microgametocyte is coined from the Greek words "micro," meaning small, and "gametocyte," referring to a specialized cell that gives rise to gametes. Microgametocytes play a vital role in facilitating sexual reproduction by producing male gametes, which are then involved in the formation of zygotes, initiating the growth and development of offspring in organisms.
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The mother-cell producing the microgametes, or male elements of sexual reproduction in Protozoa.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MICROGAMETOCYTE
- microgametocytm
- microgametocyta
- microgametocytg
- microgametwocyte
- m icrogametocyte
- mi crogametocyte
- mic rogametocyte
- micr ogametocyte
- micro gametocyte
- microg ametocyte
- microga metocyte
- microgam etocyte
- microgame tocyte
- microgamet ocyte
- microgameto cyte
- microgametoc yte
- microgametocy te
- microgametocyt e
Etymology of MICROGAMETOCYTE
The word "microgametocyte" is a scientific term that comes from combining the roots "micro-" and "gameto-" with the suffix "-cyte".
1. "Micro-" is a prefix derived from the Greek word "mikros", meaning "small" or "tiny". It is commonly used in scientific terminology to describe something extremely small or on a microscopic scale.
2. "Gameto-" is a combining form derived from the Greek word "gametḗ" meaning "a spouse" or "a wife". In the field of biology, it refers to the gametes, which are the reproductive cells (sperm and egg) involved in sexual reproduction.
3. "-Cyte" is a suffix derived from the Greek word "kútos", meaning "a hollow vessel" or "a cell". It is often used in biology to denote a cell or cellular element.
