Sporocytes

Definition

Sporocytes are specialized cells that undergo meiosis to produce spores in plants. They play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle of seedless plants by generating haploid spores.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sporocytes are diploid cells, meaning they contain two sets of chromosomes before undergoing meiosis.
2. During meiosis, sporocytes divide to form four haploid spores, each with one set of chromosomes.
3. In mosses and ferns, sporocytes are located within structures called sporangia.
4. The formation and release of spores from sporocytes is essential for the dispersal and propagation of seedless plants.
5. Environmental factors such as light, temperature, and humidity can influence the development and activity of sporocytes.

Review Questions

• What is the ploidy level of sporocytes before they undergo meiosis?
• Where are sporocytes typically found in mosses and ferns?
• How many haploid spores result from the meiotic division of a single sporocyte?

Related terms

Meiosis: A type of cell division that reduces the chromosome number by half, resulting in four haploid cells.

Sporangia: Structures where spores are produced and housed in various plant species.

Haploid:

A cell or organism that has a single set of unpaired chromosomes.