Archegonium

The archegonium is the female reproductive organ ( gametangium ) of land plants ( mosses, vascular plants and spores Nacktsamigen plants), in which the egg is formed. The male counterpart is the antheridium.

Construction

The archegonia are on the surface of the gametophyte or are recessed into it. In the typical expression, in mosses and vascular spore plants ( which are collectively referred to as Archegoniata ), is the archegonium from a thickened abdominal part where the egg sits, and a slender neck. The wall of the abdomen and neck usually consists of a cell layer. In the belly part sits inside a large cell, which divides into the egg and into the smaller ventral canal cell. Back to top close to one or more neck canal cells. Stomach and neck canal cells become congested and thus allow the penetration of the male gametes.

In the gymnosperms, the archegonia are reduced, but still recognizable as such.

In the angiosperms, the female gametophyte is reduced so much that no more archegonium is formed. "It is possible that the synergids are the neck wall cells of archegonia homologous. "

Documents

• Peter Sitte, Elmar Weiler, Joachim W. Kadereit, Andreas Bresinsky, Christian Körner: textbook of botany for colleges. Founded by Eduard Strasburger. 35th edition. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg 2002, ISBN 3-8274-1010- X.
• Gerhard Wagenitz: Dictionary of Botany. The terms in their historical context. 2nd expanded edition. Spektrum Akademischer Verlag, Heidelberg / Berlin 2003, ISBN 3-8274-1398-2 (keyword archegonium ).