micropyle
Americannoun
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Zoology. any minute opening in an ovum through which a spermatozoon can enter, as in many insects.
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Botany. the minute orifice or opening in the integuments of an ovule.
noun
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a small opening in the integuments of a plant ovule through which the male gametes pass
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a small pore in the shell of an insect's eggs through which the sperm passes
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A minute opening in the ovule of a seed plant through which the pollen tube usually enters.
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A pore in the membrane covering the ovum of some animals through which a spermatozoon can enter.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of micropyle
1815–25; micro- + Greek pýlē gate
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The integument contains an opening called the micropyle, through which the pollen tube enters the embryo sac.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
Three nuclei position themselves on the end of the embryo sac opposite the micropyle and develop into the antipodal cells, which later degenerate.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
An opening called a micropyle allows entry of the pollen tube from the base.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
When a pollen grain reaches the stigma, a pollen tube extends from the grain, grows down the style, and enters through the micropyle: an opening in the integuments of the ovule.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
In such an ovule a straight line drawn from the hilum to the micropyle passes along the axis of the ovule.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 10, Slice 5 "Fleury, Claude" to "Foraker" by Various
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