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Glite Dictionary
microgametophyte

microgametophyte

9.9
The male plant structure that makes male sex cells
  • noun
  • /ˌmaɪkroʊˌɡæməˈtoʊfaɪt/
  • Specialized
: microgametófito
  • The microgametophyte develops within the pollen grain of flowering plants.

Examples

  • Researchers studied the development of the microgametophyte under different environmental conditions.

  • The microgametophyte of flowering plants develops inside the pollen grain, where it produces male gametes.

  • In many seed plants, fertilization requires the transfer of the microgametophyte to the female structure.

  • The microgametophyte is crucial for plant reproduction.

  • A microgametophyte develops from a microspore.

  • In many seed plants, the microgametophyte must be transferred to the female structure for fertilization.

  • Studies have shown that the microgametophyte plays an essential role in the reproductive process of plants.

Surface Forms

microgametophyte singular
microgametophytes plural

Morphology

microgametophyte = gametophyte (transparent) = micro + gametophyte

The word is transparently built by adding micro- 'small' to the botanical base gametophyte, so the size-related meaning is straightforward.

Etymology

The word microgametophyte comes from micro- 'small', gamete 'sex cell', and -phyte 'plant'. So it literally means a 'small plant' that makes male sex cells, which is why the microgametophyte is the tiny male part of a plant found inside pollen.