microspore
Quick Summary
A microspore is a reproductive cell in plants that develops into a male gametophyte, also known as pollen. This occurs in heterosporous plants, which produce two types of spores: microspores and megaspores. The microspore is the smaller of the two and is produced within a microsporangium, often located in the anther of a flower.12345
In seed plants like gymnosperms and angiosperms, the microspore germinates into a microgametophyte, which is a highly reduced structure consisting of a few cells, including the cells that will develop into sperm. This microgametophyte is contained within the pollen grain and is essential for sexual reproduction, as it carries the male gametes to the female gamete for fertilization.15
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plant developmentPreparatory events…gametophyte, the smaller spore (microspore) to the male. This condition is referred to as heterospory. The gametophytes, or prothalli, of other club mosses and most horsetails and ferns are sexually undifferentiated and arise from one kind of spore, a condition termed homospory.
Read More…gametophyte, the smaller spore (microspore) to the male. This condition is referred to as heterospory. The gametophytes, or prothalli, of other club mosses and most horsetails and ferns are sexually undifferentiated and arise from one kind of spore, a condition termed homospory.
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plantHeterosporous life histories…from two types of sporangia: microspores, or male spores, and megaspores (macrospores), or female spores. In pteridophytes, megaspores are typically larger than microspores, but the opposite is true in most seed plants.
Read More…from two types of sporangia: microspores, or male spores, and megaspores (macrospores), or female spores. In pteridophytes, megaspores are typically larger than microspores, but the opposite is true in most seed plants.
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plant reproductive systemLycopsids…megaspores and the smaller as microspores. The megaspores develop into female gametophytes and the microspores into male gametophytes. Accordingly, strobili bear megasporophylls that contain megasporangia, which will produce megaspores, and microsporophylls that contain microsporangia, which will yield microspores. Although the evolutionary origin of two kinds of spores (dimorphism) is unknown,…
Read More…megaspores and the smaller as microspores. The megaspores develop into female gametophytes and the microspores into male gametophytes. Accordingly, strobili bear megasporophylls that contain megasporangia, which will produce megaspores, and microsporophylls that contain microsporangia, which will yield microspores. Although the evolutionary origin of two kinds of spores (dimorphism) is unknown,…
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flowerPollination…in which are developed numerous microspores (potential pollen grains); the pistil bears ovules, each enclosing an egg cell. When a microspore germinates, it is known as a pollen grain. When the pollen sacs in a stamen’s anther are ripe, the anther releases them and the pollen is shed. Fertilization can…
Read More…in which are developed numerous microspores (potential pollen grains); the pistil bears ovules, each enclosing an egg cell. When a microspore germinates, it is known as a pollen grain. When the pollen sacs in a stamen’s anther are ripe, the anther releases them and the pollen is shed. Fertilization can…
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gymnospermGeneral features…meiotic division to produce haploid microspores.
Read More…meiotic division to produce haploid microspores.
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lower vascular plantReproduction…the other producing many small microspores. The microspore divides to form a reduced gametophyte, merely a jacket of cells and a few sperm cells; the megaspore divides to form a mass of tissue and archegonia, each enclosing an egg.
Read More…the other producing many small microspores. The microspore divides to form a reduced gametophyte, merely a jacket of cells and a few sperm cells; the megaspore divides to form a mass of tissue and archegonia, each enclosing an egg.
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spike mossPhysical description…megaspores and the smaller as microspores. The megaspores develop into female gametophytes and the microspores into male gametophytes. Both types of spores are thick-walled, and both have prominent three-part (triradiate) ridges.
Read More…megaspores and the smaller as microspores. The megaspores develop into female gametophytes and the microspores into male gametophytes. Both types of spores are thick-walled, and both have prominent three-part (triradiate) ridges.
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