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English

acrosomes

|ac-ro-somes|

C1

🇺🇸

/ˈækrəˌsoʊmz/

🇬🇧

/ˈækrəˌsəʊmz/

(acrosome)

sperm cap

Base FormPlural
acrosomeacrosomes
Etymology
Etymology Information

'acrosome' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'akros,' meaning 'topmost' or 'extreme,' and 'soma,' meaning 'body.'

Historical Evolution

'akros' and 'soma' combined to form the term 'acrosome' in modern scientific terminology.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it referred to the 'topmost body' of a cell, and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

a cap-like structure derived from the Golgi apparatus that covers the anterior half of the head in sperm cells, containing enzymes that help the sperm penetrate the egg.

The acrosome reaction is crucial for fertilization.

Synonyms

Last updated: 2025/04/28 20:51