Reproductive Organs of Gametophyte
The reproductive organs are necessary for the mechanism of sexual reproduction in plants with a dominant gametophyte phase, supporting the creation, protection, and interaction of female and male gametes. There are two types of reproductive organs found in a gametophyte –
- Archegonium (female gametophyte)
- Antheridia (male gametophyte)
Archegonia
Female gametophyte is also known as Archegonia. Specialised structures called archegonia are present on the female gametophyte and are essential to the sexual reproduction of some vascular plants like ferns as well as non-vascular plants like mosses, liverworts, and hornworts. The key characteristics of archegonia are as follows:
- Structure: The structure of archegonia is usually flask-shaped, with a long neck and a bulging base. There is a channel in the neck that allows the sperm to enter and reach the egg.
- Egg Production: Inside of its enlarged base, the archegonium generates a single egg cell. Until the time comes for fertilization, the egg is kept inside the protective barrier.
- Fertilization: Plants that have a dominant gametophyte phase fertilise at locations called archegonia. In order to reach the archegonia, sperm cells, which are frequently generated in adjacent antheridia must pass through water (in mosses and liverworts) or damp areas (ferns). The sporophyte begins to develop when fertilization takes place and the diploid zygote is developed.
Antheridia
Male gametophytes, also known as sperm cells, have structures called antheridia that are responsible for producing and releasing male gametes. The following are the main characteristics of antheridia:
- Structure: Small, multicellular structures called antheridia are usually responsible for producing and releasing sperm cells. They could lie in clusters or be dispersed over the male gametophyte’s surface.
- Sperm Production: Several haploid cells in the antheridium divide mitotically to generate a large number of sperm cells. With the help of their flagella, these sperm cells may swim to the archegonia to fertilise.
- Fertilization: To get to the archegonia, where fertilization occurs, the sperm must travel through a layer of water (in mosses and liverworts) or through moist spaces (in ferns).
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