Vitelline membrane
Vitelline Membrane
The Vitelline Membrane (pronounced: vih-TELL-in) is a structure found in eggs, particularly those of birds and reptiles. It is a protective layer that surrounds the yolk and provides a barrier against bacterial invasion.
Etymology
The term "Vitelline" is derived from the Latin word "vitellus", which means "yolk". The membrane is so named because it surrounds the yolk of an egg.
Structure and Function
The Vitelline Membrane is a thin, transparent layer that encloses the yolk of an egg. It is composed of proteins and lipids, and its primary function is to protect the yolk from bacterial invasion. The membrane also plays a crucial role in the fertilization process, as it is the site where sperm must penetrate to reach the egg cell.
Related Terms
- Yolk: The nutrient-rich portion of an egg that provides nourishment to the developing embryo.
- Egg: The reproductive cell produced by female animals, which contains the yolk and is surrounded by the Vitelline Membrane.
- Fertilization: The process in which a sperm cell penetrates the Vitelline Membrane and fuses with the egg cell to form a zygote.
- Zygote: The cell that results from the fusion of a sperm cell and an egg cell during fertilization.
- Embryo: The early stage of development of an organism, which is nourished by the yolk and protected by the Vitelline Membrane in egg-laying animals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Vitelline membrane
- Wikipedia's article - Vitelline membrane
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