micropyle
Americannoun
-
Zoology. any minute opening in an ovum through which a spermatozoon can enter, as in many insects.
-
Botany. the minute orifice or opening in the integuments of an ovule.
noun
-
a small opening in the integuments of a plant ovule through which the male gametes pass
-
a small pore in the shell of an insect's eggs through which the sperm passes
-
A minute opening in the ovule of a seed plant through which the pollen tube usually enters.
-
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.
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
The micropyle allows the pollen tube to enter the female gametophyte for fertilization.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
The integument contains an opening called the micropyle, through which the pollen tube enters the embryo sac.
From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015
The primary root of the embryo in all Angiosperms points towards the micropyle.
From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 2, Part 1, Slice 1 by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
