Freethought & Rationalism Archive

rfwu · 09-29-2004, 11:27 PM

After looking at cells in Bio recently, I've been wondering...

Are eggs (like chicken eggs) single cells? I'm pretty sure they're not, but I'm also pretty sure they're not multi-cellular. What the hell?!? :wave:

Wounded King · 09-30-2004, 03:24 AM

The chick ovum is just one cell but the yolk and albumen may or may not be considered to be specialised compartments of that cell. They are certainly not independent cells but you may choose not to consider the associated yolk and albumen as being contained within the ovum.

In the case of animals such as amphibians the yolk is usually incorporated into the cytoplasm of the oocyte.

On further reading it appears that the yolk is effectively the same in avians in as much as it is incorporated into the oocyte during the oocytes development. So the distinction would be what you consider the albumen and shell to be if the yol constitutes the oocyte.

TTFN,

WK

rfwu · 09-30-2004, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wounded King

The chick ovum is just one cell but the yolk and albumen may or may not be considered to be specialised compartments of that cell. They are certainly not independent cells but you may choose not to consider the associated yolk and albumen as being contained within the ovum.

In the case of animals such as amphibians the yolk is usually incorporated into the cytoplasm of the oocyte.

On further reading it appears that the yolk is effectively the same in avians in as much as it is incorporated into the oocyte during the oocytes development. So the distinction would be what you consider the albumen and shell to be if the yol constitutes the oocyte.

TTFN,

WK

Big words, man. Big words.

Specifically the words avians (birds, right?), oocyte, ovum, and albumen.

So are you saying that something inside the yolk is a cell but the rest is not?

Plognark · 09-30-2004, 08:14 AM

It depends on how you define the different portions, but basically, yes, an egg is a big ole' cell. At least if my memory of highschool biology serves me correctly :huh:

doghouse · 09-30-2004, 12:24 PM

For chicken eggs, the yolk (yellow part) is a single cell. The surrounding white part is albumen and is acellular. Same for the shell.

The germinal disc is the tiny white thing near the yolk. If the egg is fertilized, this is what will become the chick. It starts dividing soon after fertilization and by the time the egg is layed, this consists of several thousand cells.

If you got the egg from the grocery store, it is unfertilized.

Garnet · 09-30-2004, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doghouse

<snip>
If you got the egg from the grocery store, it is unfertilized.

Er...not always. I've had the unfortunate experience of breaking open and egg and having a half formed embryo come out.

That is just a nasty surprise.

rfwu · 09-30-2004, 02:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Garnet

Er...not always. I've had the unfortunate experience of breaking open and egg and having a half formed embryo come out.

That is just a nasty surprise.

Ahhh! Tasty Balut! Yum!

Roland98 · 09-30-2004, 05:42 PM

Moving up for more bionerd input in E/C.

Roland98
S&S moderator

Jet Black · 09-30-2004, 10:39 PM

I heard a story a couple of months back about a supermarket egg that hatched, iI forget why she kept it warm now, but t does happen ocasionally.

Boro Nut · 10-01-2004, 04:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jet Black

I heard a story a couple of months back about a supermarket egg that hatched, iI forget why she kept it warm now, but t does happen ocasionally.

Well it never happens over here I can promise you that. We get all our supermarkets the hard way.

Boro Nut

09-29-2004, 11:27 PM	#1
rfwu Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Sunny California Posts: 1,336	Eggs and cells After looking at cells in Bio recently, I've been wondering... Are eggs (like chicken eggs) single cells? I'm pretty sure they're not, but I'm also pretty sure they're not multi-cellular. What the hell?!? :wave:

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09-30-2004, 03:24 AM	#2
Wounded King Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Edinburgh Posts: 1,211	The chick ovum is just one cell but the yolk and albumen may or may not be considered to be specialised compartments of that cell. They are certainly not independent cells but you may choose not to consider the associated yolk and albumen as being contained within the ovum. In the case of animals such as amphibians the yolk is usually incorporated into the cytoplasm of the oocyte. On further reading it appears that the yolk is effectively the same in avians in as much as it is incorporated into the oocyte during the oocytes development. So the distinction would be what you consider the albumen and shell to be if the yol constitutes the oocyte. TTFN, WK

09-30-2004, 08:14 AM	#4
Plognark Contributor Join Date: Jan 2004 Posts: 14,952	It depends on how you define the different portions, but basically, yes, an egg is a big ole' cell. At least if my memory of highschool biology serves me correctly :huh:

09-30-2004, 12:24 PM	#5
doghouse Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Standin in the rain, talkin to myself Posts: 4,025	For chicken eggs, the yolk (yellow part) is a single cell. The surrounding white part is albumen and is acellular. Same for the shell. The germinal disc is the tiny white thing near the yolk. If the egg is fertilized, this is what will become the chick. It starts dividing soon after fertilization and by the time the egg is layed, this consists of several thousand cells. If you got the egg from the grocery store, it is unfertilized.

09-30-2004, 05:42 PM	#8
Roland98 Contributor Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Gilead Posts: 11,186	Moving up for more bionerd input in E/C. Roland98 S&S moderator

09-30-2004, 10:39 PM	#9
Jet Black Contributor Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: (GSV) Lasting Damage Posts: 10,734	I heard a story a couple of months back about a supermarket egg that hatched, iI forget why she kept it warm now, but t does happen ocasionally.

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