sporophyte

American  

[spawr-uh-fahyt, spohr-] / ˈspɔr əˌfaɪt, ˈspoʊr- /

noun

Botany.

1. the form of a plant in the alternation of generations that produces asexual spores.

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sporophyte British  

/ ˈspɔːrəʊˌfaɪt, ˈspɒ-, ˌspɒ- /

noun

1. the diploid form of plants that have alternation of generations. It develops from a zygote and produces asexual spores Compare gametophyte

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sporophyte Scientific  

/ spôr′ə-fīt′ /

1. Among organisms which display an alternation of generations (such as plants, fungi, and certain algae), the individual diploid organism that produces spores. A sporophyte develops from an embryo resulting from the union of two gametes. Each of its cells has two sets of chromosomes, as opposed to the haploid gametophyte generation.

2. See more at alternation of generations gametophyte

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Other Word Forms

• sporophytic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of sporophyte

First recorded in 1885–90; sporo- + -phyte

Compare meaning

How does sporophyte compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• sporophyte vs. gametophyte

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sporophyte

For example, stomata are present on the stems of the sporophyte, and a primitive vascular system runs up the sporophyte’s stalk.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The narrow, pipe-like sporophyte is the defining characteristic of the group, and gives the group its name.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

Meiosis of cells in the sporophyte produces 1n spores, completing the cycle.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The mature sporophyte produces sporangia, completing the cycle.

From Textbooks ● Jan. 1, 2015

The sporophyte may be considered to begin at the stage of nuclear association and end with the nuclear reduction in the basidium.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 11, Slice 3 "Frost" to "Fyzabad" by Various