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acrosome |
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acrosome /ac·ro·some/ (ak´ro-sōm) the caplike, membrane-bound structure covering the anterior portion of the head of a spermatozoon; it contains enzymes for penetrating the oocyte.
acrosome [ak′rəsōm′] Etymology: Gk, akron + soma, body the caplike structure surrounding the anterior end of the head of a spermatozoon. It is derived from the Golgi apparatus within the cytoplasm and contains degradative enzymes that function in the penetration of the ovum during fertilization. Also called acrosomal cap, acrosomal head cap. See also acrosomal reaction. acrosomal, adj. acrosome [ak´ro-sōm] the caplike, membrane-bound structure covering the anterior portion of the head of a spermatozoon; it contains enzymes involved in penetration of the ovum. ![]() Acrosome of a spermatozoon. From Applegate, 2000. acrosome reaction changes in the spermatozoon that result in development of perforations in the acrosome, allowing release of enzymes that facilitate fertilization.
acrosome the caplike, membrane-bounded structure that covers the anterior portion of the head of the mammalian spermatozoon; it is bounded by an inner and an outer membrane and contains enzymes involved in penetration of the ovum. acrosome reaction
fusion of the outer acrosomal membrane with the sperm plasma membrane, and the breakdown of the fused complex, after the attachment of the spermatozoon to the zona pellucida. It is induced by substances from the egg investments and releases enzymes involved in penetration of the ovum. acrosome Reproduction biology A membrane-bound cap-like structure at the head of a spermatozoon that contains lytic enzymes–acrosin hyaluronidase which degrade the outer coat of the egg and allow the penetration of one sperm. Cf
Acrosome reaction. Cf Capacitation.
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