ANTHERIDIUM Meaning and
Definition
-
An antheridium is a specialized reproductive structure found in certain organisms, primarily plants and algae, involved in the process of sexual reproduction. It is a male gametangium that produces and releases the male gametes, known as sperm cells, which are necessary for fertilization.
In plants, antheridia are commonly found in the gametophyte generation, which is the haploid stage of the plant's life cycle. They are typically present in non-seed bearing plants such as mosses, liverworts, and ferns. The antheridium is usually flask-shaped or elongated, consisting of a single layer of cells surrounding the central region called the sperm mother cell. This mother cell undergoes division to produce several haploid sperm cells, each containing half the number of chromosomes as compared to the parent organism.
In some algae species, such as brown algae and red algae, antheridia are also present. Like in plants, they are responsible for the production and release of sperm cells. In brown algae, antheridia are multicellular structures that develop on the surface of specialized reproductive structures known as conceptacles, while in red algae, they are unicellular and can be found embedded within reproductive structures called cystocarps.
Overall, the antheridium is a crucial male reproductive organ as it functions to produce, protect, and release the sperm cells, enabling sexual reproduction to occur in various plant and algal species.
-
The spore-bearing organ in a cryptogamic plant corresponding to the anther in a phanerogamic plant.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ANTHERIDIUM
- zntheridium
- sntheridium
- wntheridium
- qntheridium
- abtheridium
- amtheridium
- ajtheridium
- ahtheridium
- anrheridium
- anfheridium
- angheridium
- anyheridium
- an6heridium
- an5heridium
- antgeridium
- antberidium
- antneridium
- antjeridium
- antueridium
Etymology of ANTHERIDIUM
The word "antheridium" has its roots in Greek. It is derived from the Greek word "ánthos" meaning "flower" and the Greek word "éreid(o)" meaning "to be full of" or "to be covered with". Therefore, "antheridium" can be roughly translated as "full of flowers" or "covered with flowers". It refers to the male reproductive structure found in certain plants, particularly in algae, mosses, and ferns.
Similar spelling words for ANTHERIDIUM
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
