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carpospore

carpospore

9.9
A tiny cell from red seaweed that does not move and can grow into a new seaweed
  • noun
  • /ˈkɑr.pəˌspɔr/
  • Specialized
: carpospora
  • Red algae release carpospores as part of their complex reproductive cycle.

Examples

  • Many species of red algae produce carpospores in their life cycle.

  • Scientists studied the germination of carpospores under different salinity conditions.

  • A carpospore develops from the fertilized carpogonium in many red algae species.

  • The carpospore is essential for the reproduction of red algae.

  • A carpospore develops from the fertilized carpogonium in many red algae species.

  • Red algae release carpospores as part of their complex reproductive cycle.

  • Scientists studied the germination of carpospores under different salinity conditions.

Surface Forms

carpospore singular
carpospores plural

Morphology

carpospore = spore (opaque) = carpo + spore

The element 'carpo-' is a specialized Greek combining form meaning 'fruit' and is not a standalone or familiar English morpheme to average learners, so the compound is not guessable from common vocabulary.

Etymology

Carpospore comes from Greek parts carpo- meaning 'fruit' and -spore meaning 'seed' or 'to sow'. So a carpospore is like a 'fruit spore'—a spore made after fertilization that cannot move on its own and may grow into a new red alga.