apogamy
Quick Summary
Apogamy is a botanical term referring to the development of a sporophyte from a gametophyte without fertilization. This process is a form of apomixis, which is reproduction through special generative tissues without fertilization.12
In certain plants, like some mosses and ferns, the gametophyte can directly produce a sporophyte through cell division, bypassing the need for gametes or sex cells. This can occur naturally or be induced under specific conditions, such as withholding water from gametophytes to prevent sperm function. Apogamy is also observed in some flowering plants, where a sporophyte can develop from an unfertilized egg or another cell within the gametophyte. This phenomenon allows for the perpetuation of favorable traits but limits the evolutionary advantages of biparental inheritance.32
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fernEcology…of life cycle known as apogamy, in which fertilization is bypassed. This life cycle is also believed to foster quick reproduction in connection with brief damp periods; the gametophytes grow quickly, with buds developing directly into sporophytes. Thus, free water is not required for swimming sperm.
Read More…of life cycle known as apogamy, in which fertilization is bypassed. This life cycle is also believed to foster quick reproduction in connection with brief damp periods; the gametophytes grow quickly, with buds developing directly into sporophytes. Thus, free water is not required for swimming sperm.
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fernHybridization…accomplished by the process of apogamy, in which spores possessing the same chromosome complement as the sporophyte are produced. These unreduced spores (with the 2n number of chromosomes) are viable and germinate into normal-appearing gametophytes that usually form male sex organs (antheridia) but not female ones (archegonia). The hybrid gametophytes…
Read More…accomplished by the process of apogamy, in which spores possessing the same chromosome complement as the sporophyte are produced. These unreduced spores (with the 2n number of chromosomes) are viable and germinate into normal-appearing gametophytes that usually form male sex organs (antheridia) but not female ones (archegonia). The hybrid gametophytes…
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plantDeviations from the usual life historyIn contrast, apogamy is the development of 1n sporophytes without gametes and syngamy from vegetative cells of the gametophyte. The 2n aposporous gametophytes and the 1n apogamous sporophytes are usually infertile under natural conditions because of disruption of cytological events. Various compensating genetic mechanisms, however, may occur…
Read MoreIn contrast, apogamy is the development of 1n sporophytes without gametes and syngamy from vegetative cells of the gametophyte. The 2n aposporous gametophytes and the 1n apogamous sporophytes are usually infertile under natural conditions because of disruption of cytological events. Various compensating genetic mechanisms, however, may occur…
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plant reproductive systemVariations in reproductive cycles…plants, both natural and induced apogamy and apospory are known. In certain ferns, gametophytes may develop at the leaf margins or in sori from transformed sporangia. Certain other ferns reproduce apogamously in nature; thus, for example, in the holly fern (Crytomium falcatum), the gametophytes give rise directly to sporophytes by…
Read More…plants, both natural and induced apogamy and apospory are known. In certain ferns, gametophytes may develop at the leaf margins or in sori from transformed sporangia. Certain other ferns reproduce apogamously in nature; thus, for example, in the holly fern (Crytomium falcatum), the gametophytes give rise directly to sporophytes by…
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