Gametocyte

Encyclopedia : G : GA : GAM : Gametocyte

A gametocyte is a eukaryotic germ cell that divides by mitosis into other gametocytes or by meiosis into gametes. Male gametocytes are called spermatocytes, and female gametocytes are called oocytes. The development of gametogonia to primary gametocytes and of primary gametocytes to secondary gametocytes is called gametocytogenesis.

The term gametocyte is used, for example, when talking about gametocytes of four species of the genus Plasmodium which transmit malaria.

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