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  

/ ˈspɒ-, ˌspɔːrəˈfɪtɪk, ˈspɔːrəʊˌfaɪt, 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

The seed is covered by a seed coat, which is derived from the female sporophyte.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

In both seedless and seed plants, the female gametophyte provides protection and nutrients to the embryo as it develops into the new generation of sporophyte.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The zygote develops into a long and slender sporophyte that eventually splits open, releasing spores.

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

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

From Textbooks • Jan. 1, 2015

The matter is complicated by the apogamous transition from gametophyte to sporophyte in the absence of the ascogonium; also by the fact that there are normally two fusions in the life-history as mentioned earlier.

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