|
(spermatozoid) A motile male gamete produced by lower plants and some gymnosperms, which moves by means of flagella. In lower plants antherozoids are released from an antheridium but in the gymnosperms they are formed in the pollen tube prior to fertilization. Most antherozoids consist of an elongated nucleus contained within a ribbon-like cell. This form enables them to penetrate the narrow neck of an archegonium. The number of flagella borne by an antherozoid may be used as a diagnostic character.
|
