Structure of a Bilobed Anther
The anther is a knob-like structure that sits on a slender stalk called a filament. The filament delivers water and nutrients to this pollen-producing part of the stamen. The structure of bilobed anther consists of two lobes (bilobed) and contains two microsporangia in each lobe. The lobes each have a cavity, known as the theca, to house the microsporangia. An anther is tetrasporangiate, meaning it has a total of four microsporangia or pollen sacs.
The non-sporangial tissue that connects the two lobes is called the connective and contains a single vascular strand. The two microsporangia in each lobe are separated by sterile tissue called the intersporangial septum. As the anther matures, enzymatic lysis of the septum causes the two sporangia to merge into a single locule or theca.
In plants like Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, the anther has only one lobe with two microsporangia, which fuse at maturity to form a single theca, hence it is monothecal. Anthers may be linear (Acalypha), rounded (Mercurialis), sagittate (Vinca), sinuous (Cucurbita), or reniform (China rose) in shapes.
Bilobed Anther – Diagram and Structure of an Anther
The bilobed anther is a part of the stamen and serves as the site of pollen production and dispersal. Typically, an anther is bilobed, dithecous, and tetrasporangiate in most angiosperms with a few exceptions. The structure of a bilobed anther consists of two lobes, each containing a pair of microsporangia or pollen sacs called thecae. These thecae are where pollen grains develop and mature.
The two sporangia in each lobe become confluent at maturity and cause lysis of the septum separating them. At maturity, the anther dehisces along a slit termed the stomium to release the pollen. Mature pollen carries sperm cells to the stigma of the female reproductive part for fertilization. In this article, we will read about the bilobed anther diagram and the structure, and function of the bilobed anther.
Table of Content
- What is a Bilobed Anther?
- Bilobed Anther Diagram
- Structure of a Bilobed Anther
- T.S of Bilobed Anther
- Functions of a Bilobed Anther