Fertilized Ovum
Definition: A "fertilized ovum" is a special cell that forms when a sperm cell from a male joins with an egg cell from a female. This new cell has all the genes needed to develop into a new living organism, like a baby.
Usage Instructions: - "Fertilized ovum" is a noun. - You can use it in scientific discussions, biology classes, or when talking about reproduction.
Example: - "After the sperm met the egg, a fertilized ovum was created, which will grow into an embryo."
Advanced Usage: In advanced discussions, you might encounter the term in contexts like genetics, reproductive biology, or in discussions about human development. For example: - "The study focused on how environmental factors affect the development of a fertilized ovum."
Word Variants: - Fertilization (noun): The process of combining the sperm and egg. - Ovum (noun): The egg cell itself, before it is fertilized. - Zygote (noun): Another term for a fertilized ovum, especially in the early stages of development.
Different Meanings:While "fertilized ovum" specifically refers to the cell formed during reproduction, "fertilized" can also mean enriched or made more productive, like soil that is treated to help plants grow.
Synonyms: - Zygote (as mentioned before) - Fertilized egg (a simpler term)
Idioms and Phrasal Verbs:There are no specific idioms or phrasal verbs that directly relate to "fertilized ovum," as it is a scientific term. However, you might hear "to fertilize" in other contexts, which means to make something more productive, such as: - "They fertilized the garden to help the plants grow."
In summary, a "fertilized ovum" is a crucial concept in biology that marks the beginning of a new life.