Marine Botany
Methods
Habitats
Bibliography
Glossary
Schedule
Students
PHYCOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF AMERICA
Reproduction
Female Gametophyte
Pictured above is the female gametophyte. The cells appear larger than the male cells, and fewer of them. The female gametophyte produces eggs. To attract the male sperm, the female gametophyte releases a pheromone. The sperm follows the pheromone concentration gradient to locate the egg. Once fertilized, the developing sporophyte grows atop the female gametophyte, until it overtakes it.
Copyright 2001: James Lopez
For Educational and Private Use Only