gametophyte
1
9.9
- noun
- /ˌɡæməˈtɒfaɪt/
- Specialized
- In ferns, the gametophyte generation is small and often lives independently from the larger sporophyte.
- gametophyte fertilizes
- gametophyte and an egg
- gametophyte and sporophyte
Examples
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The gametophyte produces sperm and eggs, which are necessary for the plant's reproduction.
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In the presence of water, sperm released from the male gametophytes fertilize the eggs of the female gametophytes.
Academic text (2002) -
Further cell expansion modifies the shape of the gametophyte somewhat, but no further growth occurs.
Academic text (1998) -
Because the cultures were axenic, the signal was most likely coming from the gametophytes themselves.
Academic text (1998) -
Cultures were established at different spore densities, and gametophyte sexual types were scored after 10 days.
Academic text (1998) -
Interestingly, when older gametophytes are transferred to dark conditions, they do not show the etiolation response.
Academic text (1998) -
If cultures are grown under adequate light, gametophytes develop into essentially two-dimensional structures.
Academic text (1998) -
Studies have indeed shown that individual gametophytes can often form sporophytes (reviewed in Klekowski 1979).
Academic text (2002) -
Gametophytes that germinate early and develop first become hermaphroditic, whereas later-developing gametophytes become male.
Academic text (1998) -
Production of a pheromone (antheridiogen) by gametophytes of some species may enhance the frequency of outcrossing.
Academic text (2002)
Surface Forms
Morphology
Etymology
Gametophyte breaks into gamete 'sex cell', meaning sperm or egg, and -phyte 'plant'. So a gametophyte is the plant stage that makes gametes, which is why it produces the sperm and egg cells in a plant's life cycle.