Dictionary > Polyspermy

Polyspermy

Definition
noun
The fertilization of an ovum by more than one sperm.
Supplement
The ovum fertilized by more than one sperm results in having more than two copies of each chromosome — one from the ovum and one each from the sperms. The resulting zygote is often inviable.
Word origin: from polyspermia » Gk polyspermía abundance of seed + –y.

Related forms: polyspermic (adjective)
Compare: monospermy.

See also: fertilization.


You will also like...

Lights' Effect on Growth
Lights’ Effect on Growth

This tutorial elaborates on the effect of light on plant growth. It describes how different plants require different amo..

Biological Cell Defense
Biological Cell Defense

Organisms employ different strategies to boost its defenses against antigens. Humans have an immune system to combat pat..

Freshwater Ecology
Freshwater Ecology

Freshwater ecology focuses on the relations of aquatic organisms to their freshwater habitats. There are two forms of co..

A sperm cell fertilizing an ovum
Human Reproduction and Fertilization

For human species to obviate extinction, reproductive mature adults should be producing viable offspring in order to con..

Principles of Hormonal Control Systems
Principles of Hormonal Control Systems

Hormones are essential in the regulation of the activity of the various biological systems of the human body. The ineffi..

Thermographic image of face and neck
Regulation of Organic Metabolism, Growth and Energy Balance

The human body is capable of regulating growth and energy balance through various feedback mechanisms. Get to know the e..

Related Articles...

No related articles found

See all Related Topics