PROTHALLUS Meaning and
Definition
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A prothallus is an essential stage in the life cycle of certain vascular plants, such as ferns and lycophytes. It is a small, delicate, and usually flat, green structure that functions as a gametophyte, or the sexual reproductive phase of these plants.
The prothallus is typically formed from a germinated spore. These spores are released from the mature sporophyte, which is the diploid phase of the plant, and settle on moist soil or other suitable surfaces. Under favorable conditions, the spore undergoes cell division and growth, developing into the prothallus.
The prothallus has a distinctive heart-shaped or thallus-shaped appearance and is composed of a single layer of cells. It lacks true roots, stems, and leaves, but it does possess rhizoids, which are root-like structures that help anchor the prothallus to the substrate and take up water and nutrients.
During sexual reproduction, the prothallus produces both male and female reproductive structures known as antheridia and archegonia, respectively. The antheridia produce motile sperm cells, whereas the archegonia house the egg cells. Fertilization occurs when a sperm cell swims through a film of water to reach and fertilize an egg cell within an archegonium.
Following fertilization, the prothallus gives rise to a new sporophyte, which is the next phase in the plant's life cycle. The sporophyte develops from the fused egg and sperm cells contained within the fertilized archegonium. It grows above the prothallus and eventually becomes the mature plant, completing the cycle.
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In bot., a name applied to the first results of the germination of the spore in the higher cryptogams, as ferns, horse-tails, &c.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for PROTHALLUS
- orothallus
- lrothallus
- -rothallus
- 0rothallus
- peothallus
- pdothallus
- pfothallus
- ptothallus
- p5othallus
- p4othallus
- prithallus
- prkthallus
- prlthallus
- prpthallus
- pr0thallus
- pr9thallus
- prorhallus
- profhallus
- proghallus
- proyhallus
Etymology of PROTHALLUS
The word "prothallus" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "pro" meaning "before" or "first" and "thallos" meaning "young shoot" or "sprout".
In botany, a prothallus refers to the first stage in the life cycle of ferns and some other plants belonging to the division Pteridophyta. It is a tiny, flat, heart-shaped structure that develops from a spore and gives rise to the gametophyte generation. The name "prothallus" is fitting because it represents the first stage or generation before the plant reaches its mature form.
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