gametophyte
Haploid plant phase
A gametophyte is the phase of a plant's life cycle that produces sex cells.
In ferns and mosses, the gametophyte is a small, often heart-shaped structure separate from the familiar leafy plant.
In flowering plants, gametophytes are reduced to microscopic structures within pollen grains and ovules.
The term contrasts with sporophyte, the spore-producing phase.
Single chromosome complement
- fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
- egg cellFemale reproductive unit
- life cycleOrganism's full developmental sequence
sexual reproduction · meiosis · mitosis · spores · germination · embryo
Plant reproductive particle
- ovuleUnfertilized seed structure
- endospermSeed's internal nutrient tissue
- egg cellFemale reproductive unit
- gymnospermExposed-seed plant
angiosperm · reduced · microscopic · dependent · megaspore · pollination
Undifferentiated vegetative body
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- seaweedSaltwater aquatic plants
- kelpLarge brown marine algae
macroalgae · microalgae · green algae · red algae · chlorophyta · rhodophyta · isomorphic · filamentous
Spore-bearing ground cover
- liverwortPrimitive spore-bearing plant
- hornwortSpore plant with projections
- sphagnumAbsorbent bog moss
- thallusUndifferentiated vegetative body
nonvascular · peat · bog · capillarity · leafy · cushion
Divided leaf blades
- vascularOf blood vessels
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
- heart-shapedResembling the love symbol
- independentFree from external control
haploid
Single chromosome complement
- fertilizationGamete fusion creating zygote
- zygoteFirst embryonic cell
- egg cellFemale reproductive unit
life cycle · sexual reproduction · meiosis · mitosis · spores · germination · embryo
pollen grain
Plant reproductive particle
- ovuleUnfertilized seed structure
- endospermSeed's internal nutrient tissue
- egg cellFemale reproductive unit
gymnosperm · angiosperm · reduced · microscopic · dependent · megaspore · pollination
thallus
Undifferentiated vegetative body
- chlorophyllLight-harvesting plant pigment
- photosynthesisLight-to-sugar conversion in plants
- seaweedSaltwater aquatic plants
kelp · macroalgae · microalgae · green algae · red algae · chlorophyta · rhodophyta · isomorphic · filamentous
moss
Spore-bearing ground cover
- liverwortPrimitive spore-bearing plant
- hornwortSpore plant with projections
- sphagnumAbsorbent bog moss
thallus · nonvascular · peat · bog · capillarity · leafy · cushion
fronds
Divided leaf blades
- vascularOf blood vessels
- understoryForest's lower vegetation tier
- heart-shapedResembling the love symbol