Sporangia

Definition

Sporangia are structures found in plants, fungi, and some protists that produce and release spores. They play a crucial role in the reproductive cycle by aiding in the dispersal of offspring.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Sporangia can be either unicellular or multicellular.
2. In ferns and mosses, sporangia are typically located on the underside of leaves or fronds.
3. Sporangia undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores.
4. They can be classified based on their location and development, such as eusporangiate and leptosporangiate types.
5. Sporangia help ensure genetic diversity through sexual reproduction.

Review Questions

• What is the primary function of sporangia in plants?
• How do sporangia contribute to genetic diversity?
• Where are sporangia commonly found in ferns?

Related terms

spores: Units of asexual reproduction capable of developing into a new organism without fusion with another cell.

meiosis:

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

gametophyte:

The haploid phase in the life cycle of plants that produces gametes (sperm and egg cells).