THE EGG

STRUCTURE & FORMATION

PARTS OF THE EGG

FUNCTIONS OF THE PARTS OF THE

EGG
Air cell- contains air for the developing embryo; it is between the
inner and outer shell membranes.
Chalaza- a spiral, rope-like strand that anchors the yolk in the
thick egg white.
Germinal disc- a small, circular, white spot (2-3 mm across) on
the surface of the yolk; it is where the sperm enters the egg.
Shell- the hard, protective coating of the egg. It is semipermeable; it lets gas exchange occur, but keeps other substances
from entering the egg. The shell is made of calcium carbonate.
Albumin- the egg white.
Yolk- the yellow, inner part of the egg where the embryo will form.
The yolk contains the food that will nourish the embryo as it grows.
Viteline membrane -This membrane is also called yolk membrane
and it surrounds the yolk of an egg. This membrane makes sure
that yolk and egg white do not mix.

EGG FORMATION

Section of oviduct

Time egg spends in

this section

Functions of section
of oviduct

1 Funnel (infundibulum) 15 minutes

Receives yolk from

ovary. If live sperm
present, fertilisation
occurs here

2 Magnum

3 hours

Inner and outer shell

membranes are added,
as are some water and
mineral salts

1 hour

Albumen (white) is
secreted and layered
around
the yolk

21 hours

the shell material

(mainly
calcium carbonate) is
added.

less than 1 minute

The egg passes through

this section before
laying.

3 Isthmus

4 Shell gland (uterus)

5 Vagina/cloaca