Archegonium - Structure & Defination

In non-flowering plants such as bryophytes, pteridophytes, and certain gymnosperms, the female reproductive organ is called the archegonium. They are multicelled and have a flask-like structure. It is an important component of the plant's reproductive system because its primary function is to protect the egg cell inside.

This Story also Contains

1. Structure of Archegonia
2. Placement of Archegonium in Plants
3. Role of archegonium in sexual reproduction

During fertilisation, the male gamete and the egg inside the archegonium combine to form a zygote, which eventually grows into a new plant. The archegonium is an important component of the life cycle of many non-flowering plants because it helps in the development of the embryo. Archegonium is an important topic in Biology

Structure of Archegonia

Fertilisation takes place inside the archegonium. Until the fertilised egg converts into a sporophyte, it stays inside the archegonium. The plant's spore-producing structure is known as a sporophyte. The sporophyte is released by the archegonium after its complete development. The basic structure of Archegonia is discussed below:

• The gametophyte is applied and is an important part of the plant.

• The venter is a bulb-like structures which is used for storing and developing the eggs.

• After maturity, the inner cell of the neck disintegrates, and it creates a pathway for the sperm to reach the eggs.

• The sporophyte or the spore-producing structure remains inside the archegonium until complete fertilisation occurs.

• They also remain inside until there is complete development.

• Once the complete development is done, the sporophyte is released from the archegonium.

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• Angiosperms

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Placement of Archegonium in Plants

For archegonia, there is no specific location within a plant. Archegonia are usually found on the thallus surface; however, they are deeply lodged inside hornworts. Archegonia are not embedded but rather are found on top of the leafy gametophyte, as in moss Physcomitrella patens.

• Sperm in bryophytes and other cryptogams travel through water films to access the archegonium.

• The sperm is delivered by a pollen tube in Pinophyta and Angiosperms, while the pollen is carried by wind or animal vectors.

• The archegonium of gymnosperms is severely reduced and incorporated into their megagametophytes.

• The megasporangium (nucellus) of the ovule's diploid megasporangium cells performs the job of protecting the gamete.

• The archegonium of gymnosperms develops during pollination within female conifer cones.

Role of archegonium in sexual reproduction

The importance of Archegonium is discussed below:

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