spermatozoid
/,spə:mətou'zouid/
Definition
Noun: A motile male gamete (reproductive cell) of certain plants, such as algae, ferns, and gymnosperms. It is capable of swimming to reach and fertilize the female gamete (egg cell).
Usage
The term is used specifically in botany and plant biology to describe the male reproductive cell in plants that do not produce pollen. It is a precise, scientific term.
Examples
- In ferns, the spermatozoid is released from the antheridium and swims through a film of water to reach the archegonium.
- The spermatozoid of a cycad (a gymnosperm) is one of the largest male gametes known, visible to the naked eye.
- Under the microscope, the spiral shape of the spermatozoid helps it move efficiently.
Advanced Usage
- The term is often used in contrast to "sperm" (the male gamete of animals) and "pollen grain" (the male gametophyte of flowering plants, which produces non-motile sperm cells).
- It is a key concept in discussions about plant reproduction, evolution, and the life cycles of non-seed plants.
Variants and Related Words
- Sperm (noun): The male gamete of an animal. While functionally similar, "sperm" is not used for plants in precise scientific language.
- Antherozoid (noun): A synonym for spermatozoid, often used interchangeably.
- Gamete (noun): A general term for a mature haploid reproductive cell (sperm or egg).
- Motile (adjective): Capable of movement; a defining characteristic of a spermatozoid.
Synonyms
- Antherozoid
- Male gamete (in the context of specific plant groups)
Notes on Different Meanings
This word has a single, specific meaning in biological science. It is not used in general or figurative language.
Noun
-
a motile male gamete of a plant such as an alga or fern or gymnosperm
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