The word "thelyplasm" refers to the cytoplasm of a female cell. Its spelling is based on the Greek words "thelys," meaning "female," and "plasma," meaning "formed substance." In IPA phonetic transcription, it is pronounced as /ˈθɛlɪplæzəm/, with the first syllable rhyming with "bell." The "th" sound in the beginning is pronounced as in "thin" or "think," and the "-plasm" ending is pronounced with a short "a" sound. This word is commonly used in biology and is important in understanding the differences between male and female cells.
Thelyplasm is a term used in biology to describe a characteristic structure found in certain organisms, particularly in angiosperms (flowering plants) and fungi. It refers to the central portion of a plant cell or fungal hypha that contains the female reproductive structures, such as the ovum or the female gametophyte.
In flowering plants, the thelyplasm is located within the embryo sac, which is the female gametophyte. It consists of the central cell and the egg cell, both of which play important roles in sexual reproduction. The central cell contains two polar nuclei and it is involved in the double fertilization process that results in the formation of the endosperm, a nutritive tissue that supports the developing embryo.
Similarly, in fungi, the thelyplasm refers to the region of a hypha that contains the female reproductive elements, such as the nucleus and other structures involved in sexual reproduction. It is crucial for the fusion of compatible hyphae during the formation of the reproductive structures, such as the fruiting body or spore-producing structures.
Overall, thelyplasm is a term that describes a specialized region within plant cells or fungal hyphae, specifically related to the female reproductive structures. It is essential for sexual reproduction and the development of offspring in both flowering plants and fungi.
The female element of idioplasm.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
The word "thelyplasm" is derived from two Greek roots: "thely", meaning "female" or "woman", and "plasma", meaning "something formed" or "something molded". The term "thelyplasm" is primarily used in biology to refer to the cytoplasm of female cells, specifically in the context of reproductive structures. The combination of these Greek roots signifies the concept of the female reproductive cytoplasm.