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Glite Dictionary
gametocyte

gametocyte

1 9.9
A cell that becomes a sex cell like a sperm or egg
  • noun
  • /ˈɡæməˌtoʊsaɪt/
  • Specialized
: gametocito
  • The malaria parasite develops and matures within various stages, including the gametocyte stage where it prepares for transmission to a new host.

Examples

  • In the life cycle of the Plasmodium parasite, the gametocyte represents a crucial form that can be ingested by a mosquito, leading to the next generation of the pathogen.

  • We assessed the density of gametocytes from every thick blood smear with the same method and used thin smears to determine the species of parasite.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Clinical outcomes, parasitological outcomes, fever clearance, parasite clearance, and gametocyte prevalence were compared after 14 days of follow-up.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Scientists observed that a high concentration of gametocytes in the blood can increase the likelihood of malaria transmission between hosts.

Synonyms

oocyte
vsgametocyte
  • Specialized
2 9.9

A female egg cell in the ovary that can become an egg for reproduction

is a general immature reproductive cell that develops into a gamete via meiosis

Surface Forms

gametocyte singular
gametocytes plural

Morphology

gametocyte = gamete (transparent) = gamete + cyte

The formation is a direct scientific combination: 'gamete' + the combining suffix '-cyte' meaning 'cell', so the meaning is derivable from the base.

Etymology

The word gametocyte comes from two Greek parts: gamete, meaning 'marriage' or 'joining', and -cyte, meaning 'cell', and a helpful way to remember gamete is the English word 'mate'. So a gametocyte is an immature 'sex cell' that will develop into a gamete.