oocyst

[ oh-uh-sist ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Biology.

oocyst

/ ˈəʊəˌsɪst /

an encysted zygote of sporozoan protozoans that undergoes sporogony to produce infective sporozoites

Origin of oocyst¹

First recorded in 1870–75; oo- + -cyst

Immediately after the formation of the antheridia new productions show themselves, both around the oocyst and within it.

The order Coccidiidea is divided into four families, characterized by the number of sporocysts (if any) found in the oocyst.

In one case (Coccidium mitrarium), the oocyst itself, instead of being spherical, is curiously shaped like a mitre.

No sporozoites are formed in the oocyst, the sporozoites being unenclosed (gymnospores).

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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