spermatogenesis

[ spur-mat-uh-jen-uh-sis, spur-muh-tuh- ]

/ spɜrˌmæt əˈdʒɛn ə sɪs, ˌspɜr mə tə- /

noun Biology.

the origin and development of spermatozoa.

Nearby words

spermato-, spermatoblast, spermatocele, spermatocide, spermatocyte, spermatogenesis, spermatogenous, spermatogonium, spermatoid, spermatolysis, spermatophore

Origin of spermatogenesis

From New Latin, dating back to 1880–85; see origin at spermato-, -genesis

Related formssper·ma·to·ge·net·ic

[spur-muh-toh-juh-net-ik, sper-mat-oh-] /ˌspɜr mə toʊ dʒəˈnɛt ɪk, spərˌmæt oʊ-/, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for spermatogenesis

Spermatogenesis of Caloptenus femur-rubrum and Cicada tibicen.
Studies in Spermatogenesis (Part 1 of 2)|Nettie Maria Stevens

British Dictionary definitions for spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis

/ (ˌspɜːmətəʊˈdʒɛnɪsɪs) /

noun

the formation and maturation of spermatozoa in the testisSee also spermatocyte (def. 1)

Derived Formsspermatogenetic (ˌspɜːmətəʊdʒəˈnɛtɪk), adjective

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis

1877, earlier in German, from comb. form of Greek sperma (see sperm) + genesis.

Medicine definitions for spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis

[ spər-măt′ə-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs, spûr′mə-tə- ]

n.

Formation and development of spermatozoa by meiosis and spermiogenesis.spermatocytogenesis

Related formssper•mat′o•ge•net′ic (-jə-nĕt′ĭk) null adj.

Science definitions for spermatogenesis

spermatogenesis

[ spər-măt′ə-jĕn′ĭ-sĭs, spûr′mə-tə- ]

The formation and development of spermatozoa. Spermatogenesis in humans begins with the spermatogonium, the diploid cell that undergoes mitosis to form new spermatogonia as well as cells called primary spermatocytes. Each primary spermatocyte then undergoes the first meiotic division to produce two secondary spermatocytes. Each secondary spermatocyte undergoes the second meiotic division to produce two nonmotile cells called spermatids. The four spermatids then develop flagella and become sperm. Since some of the original spermatogonia replace themselves, the males are able to produce large numbers of sperm continuously after sexual maturity.