POLAR BODY Meaning and
Definition
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A polar body is a small non-functional cell that is produced during the process of oogenesis (the production of eggs) in females. It is formed as a byproduct of meiosis, which is the cell division process that reduces the chromosome number by half. Each chromosome in a cell duplicates before the division, resulting in two sets of chromosomes. Meiosis involves two consecutive divisions, first separating the homologous chromosomes and then separating the sister chromatids.
During the first meiotic division, unequal distribution of cytoplasm occurs, where one of the daughter cells receives most of the cytoplasm, becoming the primary oocyte, and the other daughter cell becomes a polar body. The polar body is much smaller in size because it usually only receives a minimal amount of cytoplasm. During the second meiotic division, the primary oocyte forms another polar body, resulting in a total of two polar bodies. These polar bodies subsequently disintegrate and are typically not fertilized.
Polar bodies play a crucial role in ensuring the survival and development of the egg cell. They help to concentrate the nutrients and genetic material that are necessary for the proper development of the resulting fertilized egg. By producing polar bodies, the egg cell can discard excess DNA and concentrate the essential genetic material, promoting a successful pregnancy and healthy embryo development.
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One of two minute globular masses in the ovum, expelled at the time of impregnation.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for POLAR BODY
- oolar body
- lolar body
- -olar body
- 0olar body
- pilar body
- pklar body
- pllar body
- pplar body
- p0lar body
- p9lar body
- pokar body
- popar body
- pooar body
- polzr body
- polsr body
- polwr body
- polqr body
- polae body
- polad body
Etymology of POLAR BODY
The word "polar body" comes from the combination of two distinct terms: "polar" and "body".
1. "Polar" originates from the Latin word "polaris", meaning "of or pertaining to the pole". It is derived from the Latin word "polus", which means "axis" or "pivot". "Polar" is commonly used to describe something related to the Earth's poles or any other extremity points.
2. "Body" originates from the Old English word "bodig", meaning "trunk" or "physical structure". It can also refer to a living or non-living substance.
When combined, the term "polar body" refers to a small non-functional cell that accompanies the formation of an egg during the process of meiosis. These cells are produced by oogenesis and are polar in nature due to their location at the polar ends of the egg.
Similar spelling word for POLAR BODY
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