Spermatid
Spermatid
Spermatid (/spɜːrˈmætɪd/; from Greek sperma, meaning "seed") is a term used in the field of biology and medicine to describe the haploid male gamete that results from division of secondary spermatocytes. As a result of meiosis, each spermatid contains exactly half of the genetic information present in the original primary spermatocyte.
Etymology
The term "spermatid" was first introduced by the German anatomist, Heinrich Wilhelm Gottfried von Waldeyer-Hartz, in the late 19th century. It is derived from the Greek word sperma, meaning "seed", and the suffix -id, used in biology to denote a derivative or offspring.
Structure and Development
Spermatids are produced by the process of spermatogenesis, which takes place in the seminiferous tubules of the testis. During this process, a diploid spermatogonium (the male germ cell) undergoes mitosis to produce two diploid primary spermatocytes. These primary spermatocytes then undergo meiosis I to produce two haploid secondary spermatocytes, which in turn undergo meiosis II to produce four haploid spermatids.
Each spermatid undergoes a process known as spermiogenesis to become a mature spermatozoon. This involves a series of morphological changes including the formation of the acrosome, the development of the flagellum, and the condensation of the nucleus.
Related Terms
- Spermatogenesis: The process by which spermatids are produced from spermatogonia in the testis.
- Spermiogenesis: The process by which spermatids mature into spermatozoa.
- Spermatozoon: The mature male gamete that is capable of fertilizing an ovum to produce a zygote.
- Seminiferous tubules: The site in the testis where spermatogenesis takes place.
- Spermatocyte: The cell from which a spermatid is derived.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Spermatid
- Wikipedia's article - Spermatid
This WikiMD dictionary article is a stub. You can help make it a full article.
Languages: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
Urdu,
বাংলা,
తెలుగు,
தமிழ்,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
русский,
português do Brasil,
Italian,
polski