Antheridium: Structure and Function

What is the primary function of xylem in vascular plants?

Which stage in the alternation of generations produces spores?

What are the male gametes produced in the antheridia called?

What are the tightly coiled young leaves of ferns called?

Which part of the fern reproduces gametes?

What is required for the antheridium to release sperm cells?

What happens to a zygote after fertilization in ferns?

What is the primary function of the antheridium in nonflowering plants?

Which of the following is a characteristic of gametophytes in nonflowering plants?

Which of the following pairs of terms correctly identifies the male and female reproductive structures in nonflowering plants?

Where can antheridia be found in the plant kingdom?

What is the process of producing sperm cells in the antheridium called?

Which of the following statements about nonvascular plants is correct?

What role does water play in the reproduction of mosses?

What is the main difference between antheridia and archegonia?

Antheridium: Structure and Function

Male reproductive organ in many non-flowering plants (fungi, mosses, ferns).
Sac-like structure attached to the gametophyte by a stalk.
Produces and stores numerous sperm cells (spermatogenesis).
One cell thick, containing cells that mature into sperm.
Crucial for reproduction in many plant groups.

Antheridium vs. Archegonium

Antheridium: Male gametophyte; produces sperm (male gametes).
Archegonium: Female gametophyte; produces a single egg (female gamete).
Both are part of the alternation of generations life cycle in many plants.
Gametophytes are haploid (n), meaning they have half the number of chromosomes as the sporophyte.

Antheridium Location and Associated Plant Types

Found in bryophytes (mosses, liverworts, hornworts) and cryptogams (non-flowering plants that reproduce via spores).
Examples of plants with antheridia: mosses, ferns, algae, fungi.
Bryophytes are non-vascular plants (lack xylem and phloem).
Ferns are vascular plants (possess xylem and phloem); they are cryptogams and reproduce via spores. Their leaves are called fronds and young fronds are called fiddleheads.

Alternation of Generations and Antheridium Role

Plants alternate between a gametophyte (sexual) and sporophyte (asexual) phase.
Antheridia function in the gametophyte phase by producing sperm cells.
Sperm are flagellated and require water to swim to the egg in the archegonium.
Fertilization produces a diploid (2n) zygote.
The zygote develops into a sporophyte, which produces haploid spores.
Spores develop into gametophytes, restarting the cycle.

Fern Life Cycle Details

Sporophyte phase: Sporangia on the underside of fronds produce spores by meiosis.
Spores germinate (if conditions are favorable) into a gametophyte.
Gametophyte phase: Antheridia produce sperm; archegonia produce eggs.
Fertilization results in a zygote which develops into a sporophyte.

Explore the role of antheridia in the reproduction of non-flowering plants such as mosses and ferns. This quiz covers the structure, function, and differences between antheridia and archegonia, highlighting their importance in the plant life cycle. Test your knowledge on the male gametophyte and its significance in various plant types.