spermatocyte

[ spur-mat-uh-sahyt, spur-muh-tuh- ]

noun

, Cell Biology.

1. a male germ cell primary spermatocyte that gives rise by meiosis to a pair of haploid cells secondary spermatocytes that give rise in turn to spermatids.

spermatocyte

/ ˈspɜːmətəʊˌsaɪt /

noun

1. zoology an immature male germ cell, developed from a spermatogonium, that gives rise, by meiosis, to four spermatids
2. botany a male germ cell that develops into an antherozoid

spermatocyte

/ spər-măt′ə-sīt′ /

1. A diploid cell that undergoes meiosis to form four spermatids, cells which then develop into sperm.
2. See more at spermatogenesis

Other Words From

• sperma·to·cytal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of spermatocyte¹

First recorded in 1885–90; spermato- + -cyte