oogonium

[ oh-uh-goh-nee-uhm ]

noun

, Biology.

, plural o·o·go·ni·a [oh-, uh, -, goh, -nee-, uh], o·o·go·ni·ums.

1. one of the undifferentiated germ cells giving rise to oocytes.
2. the one-celled female reproductive organ in certain thallophytes, usually a more or less spherical sac containing one or more eggs.

oogonium

/ ˌəʊəˈɡəʊnɪəm /

noun

1. an immature female germ cell forming oocytes by repeated divisions
2. a female sex organ of some algae and fungi producing female gametes (oospheres)

oogonium

/ ō′ə-gō′nē-əm /

, Plural oogonia

1. A female reproductive structure in certain algae and fungi. It is usually a rounded cell or sac containing one or more oospheres.
2. A cell that arises from a primordial germ cell and differentiates into an oocyte in the ovary of female animals.

Derived Forms

• ooˈgonial, adjective

Other Words From

• oo·goni·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oogonium¹

From New Latin, dating back to 1865–70; oo-, -gonium

Example Sentences

It is seldom that more than one antheridium applies itself to an oogonium.

From Project Gutenberg

Mycelium present, antheridia with antherozoids, oogonium with single oosphere: Monoblepharidaceae.

From Project Gutenberg

Oogonium with the central uninucleate oosphere and the fertilizing tube (a) of the antheridium which introduces the male nucleus.

From Project Gutenberg