Dictionary > Ovocyte

Ovocyte

Definition
noun, plural: ovocytes
(1) A female gametocyte.
(2) A developing female germ cell or gamete.
Supplement
An ovocyte is an immature female sex cell. It starts off as an oogonium by the process of oocytogenesis, and matures to give rise to a fully mature ovum or egg cell and ootid (by ootidogenesis).
Word origin: From Latin ovum (egg) + New Latin cyta from Ancient Greek kutos (vessel, jar).
Variant: oocyte, ocyte
Compare: spermatocyte
See also: meiosis, ootidogenesis, oocytogenesis

Last updated on July 23rd, 2021

You will also like...

takahē
Takahē (Porphyrio hochstetteri)

Meet the colorful takahē, an extremely rare flightless bird. Find out more about its unique features and why they matte..

mRNA
Protein Synthesis

Part of the genetic information is devoted to the synthesis of proteins. mRNA, a type of RNA, is produced as a transcri..

Cell structure
Cell Structure

A typical eukaryotic cell is comprised of cytoplasm with different organelles, such as nucleus, endoplasmic reticulum, G..

Early Earth
The Origins of Life

This tutorial digs into the past to investigate the origins of life. The section is split into geological periods in the..

Genetics and Evolution
Genetics and Evolution

Humans are diploid creatures. This means that for every chromosome in the body, there is another one to match it. Howeve..

Mātauranga Māori and Science Collaboration
Mātauranga Māori and Science

Mātauranga Māori is the living knowledge system of the indigenous people of New Zealand, including the relationships t..