The term "telolecithal ovum" refers to an ovum that has a large amount of yolk, or nutrient material, concentrated at one end. The word is spelled using the IPA phonetic transcription system as /ˌtɛləʊˈlɛsɪθəl ˈəʊvəm/. This pronunciation guide breaks down the word into its individual syllables and sounds, making it easier to understand and accurately pronounce. The spelling of this word is important for professionals in fields such as biology and medicine who need to communicate clearly and effectively with their colleagues and clients.
A telolecithal ovum refers to a type of egg found in certain animal species. Specifically, it is an ovum characterized by the presence of a large amount of yolk that is concentrated at one pole of the egg. This yolk serves as a source of nourishment for the developing embryo.
In telolecithal eggs, the yolk is unevenly distributed within the ovum, with a smaller yolk-free area called the animal pole and a larger yolk-rich area called the vegetal pole. This uneven distribution of yolk gives the ovum a distinct polarity. The yolk in telolecithal eggs is often dense and nutrient-rich, containing various macromolecules and reserves necessary for embryonic development.
The yolk in telolecithal ovums plays a crucial role in providing essential nutrients and energy to the developing embryo during its early stages. As the embryo develops, it utilizes the stored yolk reserves to obtain the necessary nutrients for growth and development until it is capable of acquiring nutrients externally.
Telolecithal eggs are found in several animal groups, including reptiles, birds, and monotremes (egg-laying mammals). These animals have evolved telolecithal ovums to adapt to their reproductive strategies, where development occurs externally in an environment where the embryo cannot access external food sources. The telolecithal ovum is, therefore, an important adaptation that ensures the embryo's survival and development by providing it with internal nourishment until it is self-sustaining.
An o. in which there is a large food-yolk situated near one end.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "telolecithal" is derived from two Greek words: "telos" meaning "end" or "complete" and "lekythos" meaning "ovum". "Ovum" originally meant "egg" in Latin but became associated with the female reproductive cell in the context of reproduction. Thus, "telolecithal ovum" refers to an egg that has a concentrated yolk at one end, as is characteristic of many bird eggs.