Male and Female Gametophytes in Plants
Male Gametophyte : The haploid male gametophyte, often referred to as the microgametophyte, is a stage in the life cycle of plants that exhibits generational alternation. It is essential to the process of sexual reproduction, notably to the creation and distribution of male gametes, or sperm cells. Male gametophytes usually begin with spore germination and end with the discharge of mature sperm.
Female Gametophyte: The female gametophyte is also known as the megagametophyte. Its development results in the creation of female gametes, also known as eggs or ova, which fertilise to produce the following generation of sporophytes.
Gametophyte
Gametophyte is a haploid stage of the plant life cycle. It is a multicellular, often small, and hardly noticeable entity that undergoes mitosis to produce gametes. The Gametophyte phase of the life cycle is followed by the sporophyte phase. Gametophyte and sporophyte phases form an alternation of generation in the plant life cycle.
In this article, we will learn about the definition of gametophytes, the different types of gametophytes with their examples, male and female gametophyte structure and development, their importance, and the difference between the gametophytic and sporophytic stages.
Table of Content
- What is Gametophyte?
- Male and Female Gametophytes in Plants
- Gametophytes Examples
- Types of Gametophytes
- Reproductive Organs of Gametophyte
- Development of Gametophytes
- Importance of Gametophytes
- Difference between Gametophyte and Sporophyte