MEGALECITHAL Meaning and
Definition
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Megalecithal refers to an organism or egg that possesses a relatively large yolk. The term is derived from the Greek words "megas," meaning large, and "lekythos," meaning an oil flask or egg. It is commonly used in the field of embryology to describe the development of eggs with a significant amount of yolk, which plays a crucial role in nourishing the developing embryo.
In contrast to microlecithal and mesolecithal eggs, which have small to moderate amounts of yolk, megalecithal eggs contain a relatively large, centralized yolk mass. This characteristic is often observed in species where the embryo undergoes a long period of development without any external food sources. The abundant yolk provides essential nutrients, proteins, and lipids that sustain the embryo's growth and development.
The megalecithal condition is found in certain groups of animals, particularly in many species of fishes, reptiles, and birds. In these organisms, the size of the yolk can significantly impact the structure of the egg and the developmental processes associated with it.
Overall, the term megalecithal describes eggs or organisms that possess a substantial amount of yolk, important for providing nourishment to the developing embryo during its early stages of development.
Common Misspellings for MEGALECITHAL
Etymology of MEGALECITHAL
The word "megalecithal" is derived from two Greek roots: "megas", meaning "great" or "large", and "lekythos", which refers to a type of ancient Greek oil vessel. The suffix "-ic" in "megalecithal" indicates that it is an adjective, and "-al" signifies that it relates to or is characterized by something. Therefore, "megalecithal" describes something with a large yolk or egg, particularly in reference to certain types of eggs found in animals.
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