ACROSOME

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does acrosome mean? 

• ACROSOME (noun)
  The noun ACROSOME has 1 sense:

1. a process at the anterior end of a sperm cell that produces enzymes to facilitate penetration of the egg

  Familiarity information: ACROSOME used as a noun is very rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• ACROSOME (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A process at the anterior end of a sperm cell that produces enzymes to facilitate penetration of the egg

Classified under:

Nouns denoting body parts

Hypernyms ("acrosome" is a kind of...):

appendage; outgrowth; process (a natural prolongation or projection from a part of an organism either animal or plant)

Holonyms ("acrosome" is a part of...):

sperm; sperm cell; spermatozoan; spermatozoon (the male reproductive cell; the male gamete)

 Context examples 

This protein is similar to proacrosin binding protein sp32 precursor found in mouse, guinea pig, and pig. This protein is located in the sperm acrosome and is thought to function as a binding protein to proacrosin for packaging and condensation of the acrosin zymogen in the acrosomal matrix.

(Acrosin Binding Protein, NCI Thesaurus/LocusLink)

Encoded by human ACRBP Gene, 540-amino acid 61 kD Acrosin Binding Protein (CT Family) is similar to proacrosin binding protein sp32 precursor found in pig, mouse, and guinea pig. Expressed in normal testis only, but detected in a range of tumor types such as bladder, breast, lung, liver, and colon, this immunogenic protein is located in the sperm acrosome and may package and condense proacrosin in the acrosomal matrix.

(Acrosin Binding Protein, NCI Thesaurus)