oosphere

9.9

A female cell in simple plants like algae and fungi that joins with a male cell to make an organism

noun
/ˈoʊəˌsfɪr/

Specialized

: oósfera

The oosphere is fertilized by the male gamete during the reproductive cycle of certain algae.

Examples

Scientists observed the movement of sperm cells toward the mature oosphere under the microscope.
In fungi, the oosphere develops within the female reproductive structure.
In many lower plants, each oosphere develops into a new organism after fertilization.
The oosphere is crucial for the reproductive cycle of algae.
In many lower plants, each oosphere develops into a new organism after fertilization.
The oosphere is fertilized by the male gamete during the reproductive cycle of certain algae.
Scientists observed the movement of sperm cells toward the mature oosphere under the microscope.

Surface Forms

oosphere singular

oospheres plural

Morphology

oosphere = sphere (opaque) = oo + sphere

The combining form 'oo-' meaning 'egg' is a technical, nonproductive element unfamiliar to average learners, so the biological sense is not derivable from the parts.

Etymology

Oosphere comes from Greek parts oo- meaning 'egg' and sphere meaning 'ball'. So an oosphere is literally an 'egg ball', which is why the word names the round female cell in some lower plants before it is fertilized.