HOLOBLASTIC OVUM Meaning and
Definition
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A holoblastic ovum refers to a type of egg cell found in certain animals, characterized by complete or total cleavage during the process of embryonic development. This term is commonly used in embryology, which is the branch of biology that studies the development of organisms from fertilization until birth.
In a holoblastic ovum, the division of the cytoplasm occurs throughout the entire cell, resulting in each cell containing a similar amount of cytoplasm. This type of cleavage is typically observed in eggs with little to moderate amounts of yolk, allowing for the even distribution of nutrients and genetic material to each daughter cell.
Holoblastic ovum is commonly found in organisms such as humans, amphibians, and echinoderms, all of which possess eggs with relatively small amounts of yolk. The cleavage process begins shortly after fertilization, when the sperm and egg fused together, forming a zygote. The zygote then undergoes a series of repeated cellular divisions, resulting in the formation of a blastula, a hollow ball of cells.
Understanding the nature of holoblastic ovum is vital in the study of embryonic development, as it helps researchers and scientists comprehend the early stages of life and how different organisms undergo cellular division.
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One in which the yolk is largely or entirely formative.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for HOLOBLASTIC OVUM
- holoblastic ovuo
- holoblastic ovul
- hoeloblasticovum
- holowblasticovum
- h oloblastic ovum
- ho loblastic ovum
- hol oblastic ovum
- holo blastic ovum
- holob lastic ovum
- holobl astic ovum
- holobla stic ovum
- holoblas tic ovum
- holoblast ic ovum
- holoblasti c ovum
- holoblastic o vum
- holoblastic ov um
- holoblastic ovu m
Etymology of HOLOBLASTIC OVUM
The term "holoblastic ovum" can be broken down into two parts: "holoblastic" and "ovum".
1. Holoblastic: The word "holoblastic" comes from the combination of two Greek words - "holos" meaning "whole" or "entire", and "blastos" meaning "sprout" or "germ". In embryology, "holoblastic" refers to a type of cleavage or cell division in which the entire zygote or fertilized egg divides completely.
2. Ovum: The term "ovum" comes from the Latin word "ovum" which means "egg". In biology, "ovum" specifically refers to the female reproductive cell or gamete, which is typically larger and non-motile compared to the male gamete (sperm).
