gametophyte

ga·me·to·phyte

 (gə-mē′tə-fīt′)

n. Botany

The haploid gamete-producing phase in a plant characterized by alternation of generations.

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ga·me′to·phyt′ic (-fĭt′ĭk) adj.

gametophyte

(ɡəˈmiːtəʊˌfaɪt)

n

(Botany) the plant body, in species showing alternation of generations, that produces the gametes. Compare sporophyte

gametophytic adj

ga•me•to•phyte

(gəˈmi təˌfaɪt, ˈgæm ɪ-)

n.

the sexual form of a plant in the alternation of generations. Compare sporophyte.

[1890–95]

ga·me·to·phyte

(gə-mē′tə-fīt′)

In plants, fungi, and certain algae, the individual organism or generation of organisms that produces reproductive cells (called gametes). Each cell of a gametophyte has only one set of chromosomes, just as its gametes do. In nonvascular plants, such as the mosses and liverworts, the gametophyte is the main plant form. In vascular plants, such as the ferns, grasses, conifers, and flowering plants, the gametophyte consists of only a few cells—the embryo sac and the pollen grain. Compare sporophyte.

Thesaurus

Noun

1.

gametophyte - the gamete-bearing individual or phase in the life cycle of a plant having alternation of generations plant life, flora, plant - (botany) a living organism lacking the power of locomotion megagametophyte - the female gametophyte produced by the megaspore of a plant that produces both microspore and megaspores microgametophyte - the male gametophyte produced by a microspore