MACROSPORE Meaning and
Definition
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A macrospore is a specialized type of spore produced by certain plants, particularly seed plants. It is usually larger in size compared to microspores and is involved in the process of sexual reproduction and seed production.
In gymnosperms (non-flowering seed plants), macrospores are produced within an ovule, which is typically located in a female cone. These large spores are formed through meiosis in the sporangium, a structure that contains spores. In the process of megasporogenesis, cells differentiate within the sporangium to become megaspore mother cells, which undergo meiosis to produce a tetrad of macrospores. Three of the macrospores typically degenerate, leaving only one functional macrospore.
In angiosperms (flowering plants), the female reproductive structure is called the ovule, which is enclosed within the ovary of a flower. The macrospore is produced within the ovule through megasporogenesis, similar to gymnosperms. However, in angiosperms, the macrospore typically undergoes additional modifications to form the embryo sac, which contains the female gametes.
The macrospore is a crucial part of the sexual reproduction process in plants, as it develops into a female gametophyte within the ovule. This gametophyte eventually gives rise to the egg cell, which will be fertilized by a male gamete to form a seed. Thus, the macrospore plays a fundamental role in the reproduction, survival, and propagation of seed plants.
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One of the larger spores of certain protozoans, their size being due to their paucity.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for MACROSPORE
- nacrospore
- kacrospore
- jacrospore
- mzcrospore
- mscrospore
- mwcrospore
- mqcrospore
- maxrospore
- mavrospore
- mafrospore
- madrospore
- maceospore
- macdospore
- macfospore
- mactospore
- mac5ospore
- mac4ospore
- macrispore
- macrkspore
Etymology of MACROSPORE
The word "macrospore" is derived from two roots: "macro" and "spore".
1. "Macro" is a prefix that originates from the Greek word "makros" meaning "large" or "long". It is often used in English to indicate something of a large size or on a large scale. In the case of "macrospore", "macro" is used to describe the physical size or larger nature of the spore.
2. "Spore" comes from the Latin word "spora", which means "seed" or "sowing". In biology, a spore refers to a reproductive structure produced by certain organisms, such as plants, fungi, and bacteria, that can develop into a new individual under favorable conditions.
Combining these two roots, "macrospore" refers to a relatively larger spore produced by certain organisms for reproductive purposes.
Similar spelling words for MACROSPORE
- macrocosm,
- macroclemys,
- microsporum,
- microscope,
- macrozoarces,
- macrocheira,
- microspore,
- macrocyte,
- microsome,
- macroglia,
- macrozamia.
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