How Do You Spell POLYSPERMY?

Pronunciation: [pˈɒlɪspəmi] (IPA)

The spelling of the word "Polyspermy" can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) transcription as /ˌpɒlɪˈspɜːmi/. The word refers to a biological phenomenon that occurs when multiple sperm cells fertilize an egg. The "poly" prefix indicates multiple, while "spermy" refers to sperm cells. The unique spelling of the word may seem daunting to non-scientific individuals, but its phonetic transcription breaks it down into manageable parts, making it easier to understand and pronounce.

POLYSPERMY Meaning and Definition

1. Polyspermy is a biological term that refers to a situation in which multiple sperm cells successfully fertilize a single egg cell. It is a commonly observed phenomenon in many organisms, including plants and animals. In organisms that reproduce sexually, fertilization occurs when the nucleus of a sperm cell fuses with the nucleus of an egg cell, resulting in the formation of a zygote.

   Normally, only one sperm cell is able to enter and fuse with the egg cell, ensuring the genetic material from two parents is combined. However, in cases of polyspermy, multiple sperm cells manage to penetrate the protective layers surrounding the egg and gain access to its cytoplasm.

   Polyspermy can have different outcomes depending on the organism. In some cases, only one sperm cell ultimately fuses with the egg nucleus, while the other sperm cells are eliminated or fail to contribute their genetic material. This phenomenon is known as "monospermy with supernumerary penetration."

   In other instances of polyspermy, multiple sperm cells can successfully fuse with the egg nucleus, resulting in the formation of a polyploid zygote. Polyploidy refers to an individual or organism having more than two complete sets of chromosomes. Polyploid organisms are often infertile or have reduced fertility due to the abnormal chromosome numbers.

   Polyspermy can occur naturally, but it is also commonly induced artificially in laboratory settings as a means of studying genetic processes and developmental biology.

2. The entrance of more than one spermatozoon into the ovum.

   A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.

Common Misspellings for POLYSPERMY

• oolyspermy
• lolyspermy
• -olyspermy
• 0olyspermy
• pilyspermy
• pklyspermy
• pllyspermy
• pplyspermy
• p0lyspermy
• p9lyspermy
• pokyspermy
• popyspermy
• pooyspermy
• poltspermy
• polgspermy
• polhspermy
• poluspermy
• pol7spermy
• pol6spermy
• polyapermy

Etymology of POLYSPERMY

The word "Polyspermy" is derived from two Greek roots:

1. "Poly-" meaning "many" or "multiple".

2. "Sperma" meaning "seed" or "sperm".

Therefore, "Polyspermy" can be understood as the condition in which multiple sperm fertilize a single egg or ovum.