gonad

views updated May 18 2018

go·nad / ˈgōnad/ • n. Physiol. & Zool. an organ that produces gametes; a testis or ovary.DERIVATIVES: go·nad·al / gōˈnadl/ adj.

gonad

views updated May 14 2018

gonad Primary reproductive organ of male and female animals, in which develop the gametes or sex cells. Thus, the gonad in the male is a testis and in the female an ovary. Hermaphrodite animals possess both types.

gonad

views updated Jun 11 2018

gonad Any of the usually paired organs in animals that produce reproductive cells (gametes). The most important gonads are the male testis, which produces spermatozoa, and the female ovary, which produces ova (egg cells). The gonads also produce hormones that control secondary sexual characteristics.

gonad

views updated May 14 2018

gonad A sex gland in which spermatozoa or ova are formed. See OVARY; OVUM; SPERMATOZOON; TESTIS.

gonad

views updated May 29 2018

gonad (goh-nad) n. a male or female reproductive organ, which produces the gametes. See ovary, testis.