Britannica AI Icon

Quick Summary

The carpogonium is the egg-bearing part of the female reproductive organ in certain types of red algae. In the complex life cycles of red algae, such as Polysiphonia, the female gametophyte produces special carpogonial branches that bear carpogonia, which are the female gametes. Fertilization occurs when a male gamete, called a spermatium, fuses with the carpogonium. This fusion initiates the development of the zygote and subsequent stages in the red algae's reproductive cycle.12

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

Ask Britannica AI about this topic

Britannica doesn't have a full article on this topic, so we've curated a list of our relevant coverage.