What is the purpose of the micropyle opening in a seed coat?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

The micropyle is a minute opening in the integument of an ovule that often persists as a small pore in the seed coat, or testa.12

Its primary purpose relates to the reproductive process of flowering plants:

  • Fertilization: During double fertilization, the pollen tube grows toward the ovule and enters through the micropyle to deliver the generative nuclei (sperm cells) to the egg cell.23
  • Developmental Landmark: The egg cell is typically situated near this micropylar end of the ovule.23

While the micropyle serves as a critical gateway for fertilization, it is also a structural feature that remains visible on the surface of many mature seeds.2