acrosome

American  

[ak-ruh-sohm] / ˈæk rəˌsoʊm /

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.

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acrosome British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• acrosomal adjective

Etymology

Origin of acrosome

1895–1900; < German Akrosoma; acro-, -some ³

Example Sentences

An acrosome is found at the top of the head of the sperm.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

This initiates a process called the acrosomal reaction in which the enzyme-filled “cap” of the sperm, called the acrosome, releases its stored digestive enzymes.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

A structure called the acrosome covers most of the head of the sperm cell as a “cap” that is filled with lysosomal enzymes important for preparing sperm to participate in fertilization.

From Textbooks • Jun. 19, 2013

At the tip of the head of a sperm cell is a structure like a lysosome called the acrosome, which contains enzymes.

From Textbooks • Apr. 25, 2013

The acrosome seems to develop directly out of the cytoplasm.

From Studies in Spermatogenesis Part II by Stevens, Nettie Maria