Question

What is the purpose of antheridia?

Answer 1

Antheridia:

1. In bryophytes, the male sex organs are globular and are called antheridium.
2. The purpose of antheridium is to produce several biflagellated male gametes,i.e sperms or antherozoids.
3. Bryophytes occupy an intermediate position between algae and Pteridophyta.
4. Bryophytes are non-muscular plants that do not possess flowers or seeds.
5. The male sex organ, the antheridium, is a sac-like structure consisting of a sterile one-cell thick layer; It contains many cells, each of which, when mature, produces a seminiferous tubule.
6. Antheridium is usually attached to the gametophyte by a thin stalk.
7. Each antheridium produces many sperms. Eggs are produced in small, often vase-like structures called archegonia.
8. Each archegonium contains an ovum (in the bulge called the foramen) and sperm that enter the catheter into the narrower portion of the duct (or neck).