zoospore

[ zoh-uh-spawr, -spohr ]

noun

1. Botany, Mycology. an asexual spore produced by certain algae and some fungi, capable of moving about by means of flagella.
2. Zoology. any of the minute motile flagelliform or ameboid bodies that issue from the sporocyst of certain protozoans.

zoospore

/ ˈzəʊəˌspɔː; zəʊˈɒspərəs; ˌzəʊəˈspɔːrəs /

noun

1. an asexual spore of some algae and fungi that moves by means of flagella
2. one of several spores produced in a saclike body (sporocyst) by some parasitic protozoans

zoospore

/ zō′ə-spôr /

1. A motile flagellated spore that serves as a means of asexual reproduction among certain algae, fungi, and protoctists.

Derived Forms

• ˌzooˈsporic, adjective

Other Words From

• zo·o·spor·ic [zoh-, uh, -, spawr, -ik, -, spor, -], zo·os·por·ous [zoh-, os, -per-, uh, s, zoh-, uh, -, spawr, -, -, spohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of zoospore¹

First recorded in 1840–50; zoo- + spore

Example Sentences

Each of these, when free, immediately takes the form of a perfect zoospore, and commences to agitate itself.

From Project Gutenberg

Pythium is of interest as illustrating the dependence of zoospore-formation on conditions and the indeterminate nature of conidia.

From Project Gutenberg