OCELLUS Meaning and
Definition
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An ocellus refers to a small, circular or oval-shaped spot or eye-like structure found in certain organisms, particularly in animals. Derived from the Latin word "oculus" meaning "eye," an ocellus resembles the appearance of an eye, although it is often significantly smaller in size and lacks the complexity of a true eye. Ocelli are commonly observed in invertebrates, such as insects, crustaceans, and some mollusks.
Typically, ocelli are less developed than compound eyes and are simpler in structure. They often lack lenses and are composed of photoreceptor cells which detect changes in light intensity and direction. These photoreceptor cells capture and process visual information, providing the organism with basic light perception functionalities.
While ocelli might not provide a detailed or focused image of the surroundings like a complex eye, they serve important purposes for the organism. Ocelli are primarily involved in detecting light levels and directing an animal's movement. They aid in distinguishing between light and dark areas, perceiving direction and movement of light sources, and regulating various physiological processes such as circadian rhythms. In some species, ocelli are also used to detect predator shadows, contributing to the animal's survival by alerting it to potential threats.
Overall, the ocellus represents a simplified visual sensory organ that enables basic light perception and orientation in a wide range of invertebrate organisms.
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The simple eye or a facet of the compound eye of an insect.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
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A little eye; a minute simple eye found in many inferior animals.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for OCELLUS
- icellus
- kcellus
- lcellus
- pcellus
- 0cellus
- 9cellus
- oxellus
- ovellus
- ofellus
- odellus
- ocwllus
- ocsllus
- ocdllus
- ocrllus
- oc4llus
- oc3llus
- oceklus
- oceplus
- oceolus
Etymology of OCELLUS
The word "ocellus" has its etymology from the Latin word "ocellus", which means "little eye" or "tiny eye". It is derived from the Latin noun "oculus", meaning "eye". The term "ocellus" is often used in biology to refer to a circular or oval spot, typically resembling an eye, found on animals or plants.
Similar spelling words for OCELLUS
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