gametangium

References

gametangium

biology

Also known as: gametangia

Written by

The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

Last updated

June 29, 2026

Quick Summary

A gametangium is a cell or organ found in organisms like algae, ferns, and fungi where gametes (sex cells) are developed. This structure is part of the sexual reproduction process in these organisms.1

In the life cycle of plants and some algae, there's an alternation between two phases: the gametophyte and the sporophyte. The gametophyte is the sexual phase, and it's typically haploid, meaning its cells have a single set of chromosomes. Within the gametophyte, gametangia develop to produce male and female gametes through mitosis. When these gametes unite during fertilization, they form a diploid zygote, which then develops into the sporophyte phase. The sporophyte produces spores through meiosis, and these spores eventually grow into new gametophytes, continuing the cycle. The relative importance of the gametophyte and sporophyte phases varies greatly across different plant and algal groups.2

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

7 Britannica Sources

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.

plant
Definition of the category
…produces multicellular sex organs (gametangia). Female gametangia are called archegonia; male gametangia, antheridia. At maturity, archegonia each contain one egg, and antheridia produce many sperm cells. Because the egg is retained and fertilized within the archegonium, the early stages of the developing sporophyte are protected and nourished by the
Read More
…produces multicellular sex organs (gametangia). Female gametangia are called archegonia; male gametangia, antheridia. At maturity, archegonia each contain one egg, and antheridia produce many sperm cells. Because the egg is retained and fertilized within the archegonium, the early stages of the developing sporophyte are protected and nourished by the
Read More

plant reproductive system
The cellular basis
…produced in special containers called gametangia, which are multicellular. In cases in which special gametangia are lacking, every cell produces a gamete. In oogamy, the male gametangia are called antheridia and the female oogonia or archegonia. A female gametangium with a sterile cellular jacket is called an archegonium, although, like…
Read More
…produced in special containers called gametangia, which are multicellular. In cases in which special gametangia are lacking, every cell produces a gamete. In oogamy, the male gametangia are called antheridia and the female oogonia or archegonia. A female gametangium with a sterile cellular jacket is called an archegonium, although, like…
Read More

fungus
Sexual reproduction
…from differentiated sex organs called gametangia. In other fungi two gametangia come in contact, and nuclei pass from the male gametangium into the female, thus assuming the function of gametes. In still other fungi the gametangia themselves may fuse in order to bring their nuclei together. Finally, some of the…
Read More
…from differentiated sex organs called gametangia. In other fungi two gametangia come in contact, and nuclei pass from the male gametangium into the female, thus assuming the function of gametes. In still other fungi the gametangia themselves may fuse in order to bring their nuclei together. Finally, some of the…
Read More

plant
Homosporous life histories
Each antheridium (male gametangium) forms many motile flagellate sperm, and each archegonium (female gametangium) forms one nonmotile egg. Fusion of an egg and a sperm (syngamy) creates a zygote and restores the 2n ploidy level. Various mechanisms prevent the fusion of eggs and sperm from a bisexual gametophyte…
Read More
Each antheridium (male gametangium) forms many motile flagellate sperm, and each archegonium (female gametangium) forms one nonmotile egg. Fusion of an egg and a sperm (syngamy) creates a zygote and restores the 2n ploidy level. Various mechanisms prevent the fusion of eggs and sperm from a bisexual gametophyte…
Read More