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sporophyte

sporophyte

1 9.9
A plant stage that makes spores, often the leafy adult plant
  • noun
  • /ˈspɔrəˌfaɪt/
  • Specialized
: esporofito
  • Many plants alternate between a gametophyte and a sporophyte, with the latter producing spores to continue the life cycle.
  • gametophyte and sporophyte
  • diploid sporophyte
  • sporophytes from single spores

Examples

  • Studies have indeed shown that individual gametophytes can often form sporophytes (reviewed in Klekowski 1979).

    Academic text (2002)
  • The diminutive and generally ephemeral gametophytes are found in habitats that are usually quite dissimilar from those of the sporophyte.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The sporophyte is not necessarily shown on the page at the same scale as the spore and gametophytes.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Both generations and the processes they contain are critical for species survival, but from a genetic perspective, the sporophyte could be considered the less important generation.

    Academic text (2002)
  • The outcome of random fertilizations that produce the F2 sporophyte generation after water is added to the culture can then be predicted.

    Academic text (1998)
  • Analyses of isozyme studies have provided additional information about the sporophyte products of gametophyte breeding systems.

    Academic text (2002)
  • By analyzing the genetic composition of sporophyte populations, it is possible in many cases to develop accurate descriptions of the mating system of the species.

    Academic text (2002)
  • Viable spores can be obtained from mature sporophytes at 90 DFS or later, depending on culture conditions.

    Academic text (1998)
  • On the underside of sporophyte leaves are clusters of sporangia (sori).

    Academic text (2002)
  • The sporophyte stage of ferns produces spores that can develop into new plants.

Surface Forms

sporophyte singular
sporophytes plural

Morphology

sporophyte = spore (opaque) = sporo + phyte

The scientific combining forms and specialized botanical meaning require domain knowledge, so knowing 'spore' alone does not allow a B1 learner to infer 'sporophyte'.

Etymology

Sporophyte comes from the Greek parts spora 'seed' or 'spore' and phyte 'plant'. So, a sporophyte is literally a 'spore-plant' that makes and releases spores.