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Glite Dictionary
spermatozoid

spermatozoid

9.9
A moving male cell in plants like ferns that fertilizes eggs
  • noun
  • /ˌspɜrməˈtɒzoʊɪd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : espermatozoide
  • Ferns reproduce by releasing spermatozoids that swim through water to fertilize eggs.

Examples

  • Under the microscope, the spermatozoid moves swiftly towards the ovule.

  • The biologist studied the spermatozoid in gymnosperms to better understand plant reproduction.

  • The spermatozoid swims towards the egg.

  • Ferns produce spermatozoids for reproduction.

  • Ferns reproduce by releasing spermatozoids that swim through water to fertilize eggs.

  • Under the microscope, the spermatozoid moves swiftly towards the ovule.

  • The biologist studied the spermatozoid in gymnosperms to better understand plant reproduction.

Synonyms

sperm
vsspermatozoid
253 3.2

A male sex cell that joins a female egg to make a baby

is limited to motile forms in certain plants rather than all male cells
sperm cell
vsspermatozoid
3 3.5

A male cell that joins a female egg to make a baby

is reserved for motile cells in certain plants rather than general use
spermatozoon
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
1 9.6

A male sex cell that swims to fertilize an egg

is specific to certain plants rather than general biological use
antherozoid
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
9.9

A moving male sex cell in plants like ferns and algae that swims to the egg

has identical meaning but is an alternative technical term used in botany
spermatozoan
vsspermatozoid
  • Specialized
9.9

A male sex cell that swims and can fertilize an egg

refers only to motile gametes in certain plants rather than all organisms

Surface Forms

spermatozoid singular
spermatozoids plural

Morphology

spermatozoid = sperm (semi-transparent) = spermato + zoid

Formed by adding the combining element '-zoid' to the sperm-related base; the components indicate a sperm-related form but the term is technical and uses combining forms unfamiliar to many learners.

Etymology

Spermatozoid comes from older Greek parts spermato- meaning 'seed' and -zoid meaning 'like' or 'form', and it is related to the English word sperm which also means 'seed'. So a spermatozoid is a 'seed-like' moving cell that swims to reach and fertilize an egg.