acrosome

[ ak-ruh-sohm ]
/ ˈæk rəˌsoʊm /

noun Cell Biology.

an organelle covering the head of animal sperm and containing enzymes that digest the egg cell coating, thus permitting the sperm to enter the egg.

Origin of acrosome

1895–1900; < German Akrosoma; see acro-, -some3

OTHER WORDS FROM acrosome

ac·ro·so·mal, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for acrosome

British Dictionary definitions for acrosome

acrosome
/ (ˈækrəˌsəʊm) /

noun

a cap-like structure on the tip of a spermatozoon that releases enzymes on encountering the ovum allowing fusion with the ovum in the sexual reproductive process; this part of the process is known as the acrosome reaction

Word Origin for acrosome

C19: from acro- + -some ³

Medical definitions for acrosome

acrosome
[ ăkrə-sōm′ ]

n.

acrosomal cap

Other words from acrosome

ac′ro•somal (-sōməl) adj.