How Do You Spell MEROBLAST?

Pronunciation: [mˈɛɹəblˌast] (IPA)

Meroblast is a term used in embryology to describe incomplete or partial cleavage during the early cell division process. It is pronounced /ˈmɛrəblæst/ (meh-ruh-blast), with the emphasis on the first syllable. The word is spelled with the prefix "mero-" meaning partial, followed by "blast" meaning a primitive form of a cell. The phonetic transcription provides a guide for proper pronunciation, making it easier for those in the field to communicate effectively about this important developmental process.

MEROBLAST Meaning and Definition

1. Meroblast is a term used in the field of embryology to describe a specific type of cleavage that occurs during the early stages of embryonic development. It refers to an incomplete or partial division of the fertilized egg or zygote, resulting in the formation of a blastoderm that covers only a portion of the egg.

   During meroblastic cleavage, the cytoplasm of the zygote is not evenly distributed throughout the egg. Instead, it is concentrated in a distinct disc-shaped area called the blastodisc, while the remainder of the egg is occupied by the yolk. As cleavage progresses, mitotic divisions take place within the blastodisc, leading to the formation of a blastoderm composed of multiple layers of cells.

   Meroblastic cleavage is characteristic of eggs that contain a significant amount of yolk, such as those of reptiles, birds, and fishes. The presence of yolk restricts the movement of cytoplasm, preventing complete division and subsequent formation of a hollow blastula.

   This type of cleavage pattern is fundamentally different from holoblastic cleavage, which is characterized by the complete and equal division of the zygote. In holoblastic cleavage, the yolk is either not present or is uniformly distributed within the egg.

   In summary, meroblast refers to the partial division of the zygote during embryonic development in eggs containing a sizable yolk. This process ultimately contributes to the formation of a blastoderm, which serves as the precursor to further embryonic development.

Common Misspellings for MEROBLAST

• keroblast
• jeroblast
• mwroblast
• msroblast
• mdroblast
• mrroblast
• m4roblast
• m3roblast
• mefoblast
• metoblast
• me5oblast
• me4oblast
• meriblast
• merkblast
• merlblast
• merpblast
• mer0blast
• mer9blast
• merovlast
• meronlast

Etymology of MEROBLAST

The word "meroblast" is derived from two root words: "mero-" and "-blast".

The prefix "mero-" comes from the Greek word "meros", meaning "part" or "portion".

The suffix "-blast" comes from the Greek word "blastos", which means "germ" or "sprout". In biology, it specifically refers to immature or undifferentiated cells.

Therefore, when the two roots are combined, "meroblast" refers to the type of cell division that occurs in certain animal eggs, where only a portion of the egg cytoplasm undergoes division, while other parts remain intact. This term is commonly used in the field of embryology and developmental biology.