Ovum (Noun)
Meaning
The female reproductive cell; the female gamete.
Classification
Nouns denoting body parts.
Examples
- The ovum is released from the ovary during ovulation and travels through the fallopian tube.
- In humans, the ovum is the largest cell in the body, with a diameter of about 0.1 millimeters.
- The ovum contains half the genetic material necessary for the development of a new individual.
- Fertilization occurs when a sperm penetrates the outer layer of the ovum and fuses with its genetic material.
- The ovum is surrounded by a protective layer called the zona pellucida, which helps to facilitate fertilization.