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

Inside the pollen sac is a layer called the tapetum, and within this ring are the microspore mother cells.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Illustration shows the formation of pollen from a microspore mother cell.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The microsporangium contains microspore mother cells, which divide by meiosis to produce haploid microspores.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

Figure 2. Pollen develops from the microspore mother cells.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The subsequent behavior of the pollen cell, its division and its fertilization of the germinal vesicle or oosphere, leave no doubt as to its analogy with the microspore of vascular cryptogams.

From Scientific American Supplement, No. 531, March 6, 1886 by Various