microspore

American  

[mahy-kruh-spawr, ‑-spohr] / ˈmaɪ krəˌspɔr, ‑ˌspoʊr /

noun

Botany.

1. the smaller of the two kinds of spores characteristically produced by seed plants and some fern allies, developing into a male gametophyte.

2. a pollen grain.

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microspore British  

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌspɔː /

noun

1. the smaller of two types of spore produced by some spore-bearing plants, which develops into the male gametophyte Compare megaspore

2. the pollen grain of seed plants

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microspore Scientific  

/ mīk′rə-spôr′ /

1. One of the two types of haploid spores produced by a heterosporous plant. Microspores develop into male gametophytes and are usually smaller than megaspores. In angiosperms, the microspore develops into the pollen grain.

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Other Word Forms

• microsporic adjective
• microsporous adjective

Etymology

Origin of microspore

First recorded in 1855–60; micro- + -spore

Example Sentences

In germination they develop a minute prothallus which bears archegonia to be fertilized by antherozoids developed from the microspores.

From Project Gutenberg

Three small cells occur inside the cavity of the microspore; two of them collapse and the third divides into two, forming a stalk-cell and a larger body-cell.

From Project Gutenberg

Base of a leaf and contained sporocarp filled with microspores cut across, magnified.

From Project Gutenberg

It is clear, however, that in all these conidia, macrospores, microspores, and some spermatia, or by whatever names they may be called, there exists a power of germination.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Scotch pine the microspores are ripe about the end of May.

From Project Gutenberg