What are antheridia and archegonia

see full answer

Your Exam Success, Personally Taken Care Of

1:1 expert mentors customize learning to your strength and weaknesses – so you score higher in school , IIT JEE and NEET entrance exams.

An Intiative by Sri Chaitanya

(Unlock A.I Detailed Solution for FREE)

JEE

NEET

Foundation JEE

Foundation NEET

CBSE

Detailed Solution

Antheridia and archegonia are the male and female reproductive organs in plants like bryophytes, pteridophytes, and gymnosperms.

Meaning and Role

Antheridium (plural: antheridia): The male reproductive structure that produces male gametes (sperm cells).
Archegonium (plural: archegonia): The female reproductive structure that produces the egg cell (female gamete).

Structure

Feature	Antheridium	Archegonium
Function	Produces and releases male gametes	Produces and protects the egg cell
Shape	Round or oval	Flask-shaped with neck and venter
Present in	Mosses, ferns, and other lower plants	Mosses, ferns, gymnosperms
Cell type	Multicellular structure with jacket layer	Multicellular structure enclosing egg

Process

Antheridia release motile sperm cells into water.
The sperm swims toward the archegonium attracted by chemicals (a process called chemotaxis).
The sperm fertilizes the egg inside the archegonium.
A zygote forms and develops into a new sporophyte.

Importance

These organs are essential for sexual reproduction in non-flowering plants. They help maintain alternation of generations and genetic diversity.

Watch 3-min video & get full concept clarity