Definition of Acrosome

1. Noun. A process at the anterior end of a sperm cell that produces enzymes to facilitate penetration of the egg.

Group relationships: Sperm, Sperm Cell, Spermatozoan, Spermatozoon
Generic synonyms: Appendage, Outgrowth, Process

Definition of Acrosome

1. Noun. A structure forming the end of the head of a spermatozoon. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Acrosome

1. a thin sac at the head of a sperm [n -S]

Medical Definition of Acrosome

1. A membrane-bound compatment at the tip of the head of a sperm which contains lytic enzymes (hyaluronidase in mammalian sperm) which digest the outer surface of the egg and allow the sperm to inject its haploid DNA. The compartment is secreted by the Golgi apparatus of the spermatid. Origin: Gr. Soma = body (12 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Acrosome

acropodia
acropodium
acropoleis
acropoli
acropolis
acropolises
acropustulosis
acroscleroderma
acrosclerosis
acroscopic
acrosomal
acrosomal granule
acrosomeless
acrosomes
acrosomin
acrospire
acrospired
acrospires
acrospiring
acrospiroma
acrospore
acrospores
acrosporous
across
across-the-board
across from

Literary usage of Acrosome

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. International Medical and Surgical Surveyby American Institute of Medicine by American Institute of Medicine (1922)
"He found that the acrosome arises in connection with the Golgi apparatus plus ... To clear up the problem of the acrosome in orthoptera, a few species from ..."

2. The Kansas University Science Bulletin by University of Kansas (1902)
"The beginning of the acrosome is seen. The accessory chromosome can be ... 4, with some of the fibers curved and no acrosome. FIG. 6. Same as fig. ..."

3. The Spermatogenesis of Anasa Tristis by Frederick Clark Paulmier (1899)
"The acrosome. — Another body, which makes its first appearance at about the same ... it seems better to adopt the word “acrosome,” first introduced by v. ..."

4. The Cell in Development and Inheritance by Edmund Beecher Wilson (1911)
"An apical body, or acrosome, lying at the front end of the head, sometimes very ... This body shows the same staining-reactions as the acrosome, having an ..."

5. Journal of Morphology by Wistar Institute of Anatomy and Biology (1908)
"Since Meves (69), McGregor (63), and Broman (13) have found that the acrosome of the amphibian spermatozoon is derived from the ..."

6. Studies in Spermatogenesis by Nettie Maria Stevens (1905)
"Spermatid, showing acrosome material (a) migrating to side of nucleus opposite ... Older spermatids, showing formation of acrosome (o) and middle piece (m). ..."

7. Bryn Mawr College Monographs by Bryn Mawr College (1906)
"Spermatid, showing acrosome material (a) migrating to side of nucleus ... Older spermatids, showing formation of acrosome (a) and middle piece (»»). 90-92. ..."

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