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acrosome

[ ak-ruh-sohm ]

noun

, Cell Biology.
  1. 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.


acrosome

/ ˈækrəˌsəʊm /

noun

  1. a cap-like structure on the tip of a spermatozoon that releases enzymes on encountering the ovum allowing fusion with the ovum in the sexual reproductive process; this part of the process is known as the acrosome reaction
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Words From

  • acro·somal adjective
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Word History and Origins

Origin of acrosome1

1895–1900; < German Akrosoma; acro-, -some 3
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Word History and Origins

Origin of acrosome1

C19: from acro- + -some ³
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Example Sentences

That clearly means the fertilisation process; the bell ringing is the acrosome reaction, the wings are the newly formed pairs of chromosomes in the zygote, and thus life begins.

The acrosome seems to develop directly out of the cytoplasm.

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