oocyte
Meaning
a cell in an ovary which may undergo meiotic division to form an ovum.
Structure
Usage
the primary oocyte is arrested in prophase i until ovulation.
scientists studied the maturation of the oocyte in the laboratory.
hormonal signals trigger the oocyte to complete its final division.
Etymology
the term oocyte is a modern scientific compound formed from two greek roots. the first part, 'oo-', derives from the greek word for egg, 'ōion', which itself can be traced back to the proto-indo-european root h₂ōwyóm, also meaning egg. the second part, '-cyte', originates from the greek 'kytos', signifying a vessel or cell, from the idea of a hollow container. in biological terminology, '-cyte' is a standard suffix denoting a cell. thus, oocyte literally translates to "egg cell," accurately describing its role as the female germ cell that develops into an ovum.
Analysis
oo- from greek 'ōion', meaning egg; -cyte from greek 'kytos', meaning a hollow container or cell.