What is the micropylar end?

In botany, a micropyle is a small opening in the integument of a seed plant’s ovule. This opening serves as the passage through which the pollen tube enters during fertilization.

In zoology, a micropyle refers to a specialized area on the surface of an egg through which sperm penetrates for fertilization.

Functions of the Micropyle

1. Provides an entry point for the pollen tube into the ovule, enabling fertilization.
2. Assists in water absorption during seed germination.
3. During germination, the radicle (embryonic root) often emerges through the micropyle.

Presence in Other Organisms

• Micropyles are also found in certain protozoan parasites, such as Plasmodium sporozoites, located at the anterior end leading to the apical cap.
• Some insects, like Bombyx mandarina (silkworm) and Ceratitis capitata (Mediterranean fruit fly), also possess micropyles on their eggs.