Acrosome


an organelle covering the head of animal sperm and containing enzymes that digest the egg cell coating, thus permitting the sperm to enter the egg.
historical examples

the acrosome seems to develop directly out of the cytoplasm.
studies in spermatogenesis nettie maria stevens

spermatids containing both the chromatin nucleolus (n) and the odd chromosome (x), a the acrosome.
studies in spermatogenesis nettie maria stevens

noun
a cap-like structure on the tip of a spermatozoon that releases enzymes on encountering the ovum allowing fusion with the ovum in the s-xual reproductive process; this part of the process is known as the acrosome reaction

acrosome ac·ro·some (āk’rə-sōm’)
n.
see acrosomal cap.
ac’ro·so’mal (-sō’məl) adj.

Read Also:

  • Acrosomal cap

    acrosomal cap acrosomal cap n. a caplike structure at the anterior end of a spermatozoon that produces enzymes aiding in egg penetration. also called acrosome, head cap.

  • Acrosomal granule

    acrosomal granule acrosomal granule n. a large granule that is formed by the coalescing of proacrosomal granules within the acrosomal vesicle and adheres to the nuclear envelope of a developing spermatozoon.

  • Acrosomal vesicle

    acrosomal vesicle acrosomal vesicle n. a vesicle derived from the golgi apparatus during spermiogenesis; its membrane adheres to the nuclear envelope of the sperm and, together the the acrosomal granule within the vesicle, spreads in a thin layer over the pole of the nucleus to form the acrosomal cap.

  • Acrospire

    the first sprout appearing in the germination of grain; the developed plumule of the seed. historical examples by about the eighth day of flooring the acrospire should be about three-quarters up the corn. encyclopaedia britannica, 11th edition, volume 17, slice 4 various the malting, however, is complete before the acrospire becomes a leaf. a dictionary […]

  • Acrospore

    a borne at the tip of a sporoph-r-, as a basidiospore.


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