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Glite Dictionary
zona pellucida

zona pellucida

9.9
A clear thick layer around a mammal's egg that sperm must pass through
  • noun
  • /ˈzoʊnə pəˈluːsɪdə/
  • Specialized
translation icon : zona pellucida
  • During fertilization, the sperm must penetrate the zona pellucida to reach the egg.

Examples

  • The zona pellucida is essential for protecting the ovum until it successfully implants in the uterus.

  • The sperm must pass through the zona pellucida to fertilize the egg.

  • After fertilization, the zona pellucida helps protect the developing embryo.

  • Researchers study the zona pellucida to understand fertility problems.

  • The zona pellucida surrounds the ovum during fertilization.

  • During fertilization, the sperm penetrates the zona pellucida.

  • Researchers studied how the zona pellucida affects sperm binding and fertilization efficiency.

Surface Forms

zona pellucida singular
zonae pellucidae plural

Morphology

zona + pellucida

The compound is directly compositional: 'zona' denotes a ringlike layer and 'pellucida' derives from Latin 'pellucid' meaning transparent, so together they denote a "transparent zone" or clear ringlike membrane. Although it is a technical, Latin-derived biological term, a learner who knows both constituents can infer it refers to the clear membrane surrounding the ovum.

Etymology

Zona pellucida comes from Latin words zona meaning 'belt' and pellucida meaning 'clear', which gives the simple image of a clear belt around an egg. That's why the term names the thin, see-through layer that sperm must pass to fertilize the egg.