Egg (biology)

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Egg (biology)

The egg (pronunciation: /ɛɡ/), also known as an ovum (plural: ova), is the reproductive cell (or gamete) in most anisogamous species. The term is used broadly, but can also refer specifically to a female's gamete in animals and plants. The egg's structure and development vary through different species.

Etymology

The term "egg" comes from the Old Norse word "egg", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic "*ajja(m)".

Structure

An egg is generally composed of the egg cell, known as an ovum or oocyte. The egg cell is typically large in size and contains cytoplasm, enclosed by the cell membrane, also known as the plasma membrane. The egg cell is often associated with other structures and molecules that support it and the developing embryo.

Development

The process of egg formation is called oogenesis. It involves the development of the female gametes through the process of meiosis. In animals, this process takes place in the ovaries. The human ovum measures approximately 0.1 mm in diameter.

Fertilization

In sexual reproduction, the egg unites with a sperm cell, a process known as fertilization. This results in a fertilized egg, which develops into a new individual.

Related Terms

  • Ovulation: The process by which an egg is released from the ovary.
  • Zygote: The cell resulting from the union of an egg and a sperm.
  • Embryo: The early stage of development in multicellular organisms.
  • Blastocyst: A structure formed in the early development of mammals.

External links

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