Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
acrosome

acrosome

1 9.9
A cap-shaped part at the front of a sperm that releases enzymes to help it enter the egg
  • noun
  • /ˈækrəˌsoʊm/
  • Specialized
: acrosoma
  • During fertilization, the sperm's acrosome releases enzymes that help it penetrate the egg.

Examples

  • When sperm reach the egg, the acrosome reaction allows the release of enzymes needed for fertilization.

  • This permits the acrosome reaction to occur, which is the means by which lytic enzymes in the sperm are released so that they can facilitate the passage of the sperm through the egg coverings.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The acrosome contains enzymes essential for the sperm to break through the protective layer surrounding the egg.

Surface Forms

acrosome singular
acrosomes plural

Morphology

acrosome = acro + some

The word is built from Greek combining forms (acro- 'tip' + -some 'body') that are not standalone English words; an average B1 learner cannot reliably derive the specialized biological meaning from these parts.

Etymology

Acrosome comes from Greek parts acro- meaning 'tip' (as in acrobat) and soma meaning 'body'. So the acrosome is the 'tip body' — the small cap at the front of a sperm that helps it enter the egg.