antheridium

American  

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

noun

Botany, Mycology.

plural

antheridia

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 /

plural

antheridia

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

• antheridial adjective

Etymology

Origin of antheridium

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

Example Sentences

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

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

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

Afterwards the contents of these latter cells become divided into numerous bacillary spermatozoids, which first break the wall of their mother cell, and then issue from the antheridium.

From Fungi: Their Nature and Uses by Cooke, M. C. (Mordecai Cubitt)