MICROLECITHAL Meaning and
Definition
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Microlecithal is an adjective used to describe an organism, usually an egg or embryo, that possesses a small amount of yolk or nutritive material. The term is commonly used in the field of developmental biology, specifically in the study of animal reproduction. Microlecithal eggs or embryos exhibit a relatively small size and a reduced amount of yolk distribution compared to other types of eggs.
In microlecithal organisms, the yolk serves as a source of nutrients essential for the survival and development of the developing embryo. However, due to the limited amount of yolk present, microlecithal eggs typically rely on other mechanisms to obtain sufficient nourishment, such as direct parental care or external nutrition.
Microlecithal eggs are often found in species that have a planktonic or free-swimming larval stage, as the smaller yolk content allows for greater mobility. Additionally, microlecithal embryos tend to undergo rapid cleavage and gastrulation, as they rely more heavily on external nutrition sources.
Understanding the characteristics and developmental strategies of microlecithal organisms is crucial in various fields, including evolutionary biology, ecology, and reproductive physiology. By studying the adaptations associated with microlecithal reproduction, researchers can gain insights into the diverse reproductive strategies employed by different species across the animal kingdom.
Common Misspellings for MICROLECITHAL
- micolecithal
- microlectihal
- microlecithial
- microlecticthal
- microlecithiol
- microlecthial
- microlecitahal
Etymology of MICROLECITHAL
The word "microlecithal" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "micro-", meaning small, and "lecithal", which relates to the presence of yolk or yolk-like material in the egg.
In embryology and zoology, the term "lecithal" is used to describe the amount of yolk present in the egg of an organism. Yolk is a nutrient-rich substance that provides energy and nourishment for the developing embryo. The prefix "micro-" is added to specify that the yolk content in the egg is relatively small or minimal compared to other organisms. Therefore, "microlecithal" refers to organisms or eggs with a small amount of yolk.
