micropyle

American  

[mahy-kruh-pahyl] / ˈmaɪ krəˌpaɪl /

noun

1. Zoology.  any minute opening in an ovum through which a spermatozoon can enter, as in many insects.

2. Botany.  the minute orifice or opening in the integuments of an ovule.

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micropyle British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌpaɪl /

noun

1. a small opening in the integuments of a plant ovule through which the male gametes pass

2. a small pore in the shell of an insect's eggs through which the sperm passes

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micropyle Scientific  

/ mī′krə-pīl′ /

1. A minute opening in the ovule of a seed plant through which the pollen tube usually enters.

2. A pore in the membrane covering the ovum of some animals through which a spermatozoon can enter.

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Other Word Forms

• micropylar adjective

Etymology

Origin of micropyle

1815–25; micro- + Greek pýlē gate

Example Sentences

Inverted and straight, with the micropyle next the hilum and the radicle consequently inferior.

From Project Gutenberg

At one end a cap-like portion of this forms a detachable operculum, in the middle of which is a minute opening, the micropyle.

From Project Gutenberg

The female flower is enveloped in a closely fitting sac-like investment, which must be regarded as a perianth; within this is an orthotropous ovule surrounded by a single integument prolonged upwards as a beak-like micropyle.

From Project Gutenberg

The radicular extremity points towards the micropyle, while the cotyledonary extremity is pointed towards the base of the ovule or the chalaza.

From Project Gutenberg

The micropyle indicates the organic apex of the ovule.

From Project Gutenberg