Definition
noun, plural: oocytes
(1) A female gametocyte.
(2) A developing female germ cell.
Supplement
The oocyte is an immature female sex cell. It starts off as an oogonium by the process of oocytogenesis, and matures to give rise to a fully mature ovum or egg cell and ootid (by ootidogenesis).
In humans, the oocytes are of two types:
The counterpart of oocyte in males is spermatocyte.
Word origin: From Ancient Greek ᾠο-, combining form of ᾠόν (egg) + New Latin cyta from Ancient Greek κύτος kutos, (vessel, jar).
Variant: ovocyte, ocyte
Compare: spermatocyte
See also: meiosis, ootidogenesis, oocytogenesis
Related terms:
