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Dictionary » O » Ovum

Ovum

Definition

noun, plural: ova

(1) Female gamete; female sex cell; female reproductive cell.

(2) Egg cell.


Supplement

In humans, the ovum is the largest cell visible to the naked eye. It is about 0.1 mm in size in humans. It is produced in the ovary and eventually released into the fallopian tube during ovulation. It consists of protoplasm (with some yolk) surrounded by a think cell wall (vitelline membrane). It may also have a noncellular covering (zona pellucida). Within the cell is a large nucleus (germinal vesicle), with a nucleolus (germinal spot). The cell is haploid so that when a sperm cell fertilizes it, it forms a diploid zygote.


Synonyms:

Compare: sperm cell


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Human Reproduction

I read a line in my text stating "after 14 days of ovulation , if ovum is not fertilized , the lining of uterus degenerates and menstruation begins." Why does the endometrium degenerates ? Please Help!! :?

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by madromanoff
Thu Jan 17, 2013 4:26 pm
 
Forum: Human Biology
Topic: Human Reproduction
Replies: 1
Views: 276

Sperm and White blood cells

Hi Guys, I have been trying to research about the type of Leukocyte present in 'attacking' the sperm cells during its journey towards the ovum. So far I have had no luck. Now, I would really appreciate it if someone could further explain this process in more detail or give me a resource that ...

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by dzel
Fri Oct 12, 2012 9:40 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Sperm and White blood cells
Replies: 0
Views: 476

How does seeds formed after pollination?

I guess fertilization can occur many times within one plant. Some flowers might have several ovules. Each ovule contains one ovum. When pollen grains land on the stigma, more than one pollen tubes can be formed and each carries a male gamete to one ovule.

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by AndyYip
Sat Sep 29, 2012 4:20 pm
 
Forum: Botany Discussion
Topic: How does seeds formed after pollination?
Replies: 1
Views: 1424

Chromosomes And Heredity

... gestation cannot describe the process. The answer lie between mitosis and fertilization. Fertilization occurs internally when the sperms meet the ovum as it passes dowm the oviduct and they fuse together. The nucleus of the sperm and the egg must be fused before the genetic materials of the both ...

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by chikis
Wed May 16, 2012 10:31 am
 
Forum: Genetics
Topic: Chromosomes And Heredity
Replies: 4
Views: 3278

Centrosome

... are not required for spindle formation during cell division. -What do they specifically do as microtubule organizing centres? Also in a human ovum (secondary oocyte) a pair of centrioles is absent. This does not seem to confer a selective disadvantage to the ovum.

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by Adz795
Mon Sep 05, 2011 2:18 pm
 
Forum: Cell Biology
Topic: Centrosome
Replies: 2
Views: 2428
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