Oocytes
- Pronunciation
- /OH-uh-syts/
- Category
- Anatomy
- Singular
- Oocyte
- Plural
- Oocytes
Definition
Immature female gametes that undergo meiotic divisions to produce eggs. They are characterized by a large nucleus and cytoplasm rich in yolk precursors.
Etymology
From Greek 'oo-', meaning 'egg', and '-cytos' meaning 'cell'.
Example
Oocytes develop within egg chambers in the ovaries.