antheridium

American  

[an-thuh-rid-ee-uhm] / ˌæn θəˈrɪd i əm /

noun

Botany, Mycology.

antheridia plural

1. a male reproductive structure producing gametes, occurring in ferns, mosses, fungi, and algae.

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antheridium British  

/ ˌænθəˈrɪdɪəm /

noun

1. the male sex organ of algae, fungi, bryophytes, and spore-bearing vascular plants, such as ferns, which produces antherozoids

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antheridium Scientific  

/ ăn′thə-rĭd′ē-əm /

antheridia plural

1. An organ in certain organisms that produces male gametes. Antheridia are found in many groups of organisms, including the bryophytes, ferns, ascomycete fungi, and some algae. Most gymnosperms and all angiosperms, however, have lost the antheridium, and its role is filled by the pollen grain.

2. Compare archegonium

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• antheridial
  adjective

Inflected Forms

noun

• antheridia
  plural

Etymology

Origin of antheridium

From New Latin, dating back to 1850–55; see origin at anther, -idium

Example Sentences

Flagellated sperm released from the antheridium swim on a wet surface to the archegonium, where the egg is fertilized.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

At fertilization, the antheridium and the ascogonium combine in plasmogamy without nuclear fusion.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The “male” strain produces an antheridium and the “female” strain develops an ascogonium.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Once released from the antheridium, the clock begins to count down their survival probability.

From Scientific American • Jul. 28, 2012

This becomes the organ termed the antheridium, from its analogy in function to the anther of flowering plants.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 460, October 25, 1884 by Various