Antheridium Antheridium

Antheridium - Definition and Overview

Antheridium (plural: antheridia) is a structure or organ of the gametophyte phase of certain plants producing and containing the sperm or male gametes. It is present in lower plants like mosses and ferns, but the comparable structure in gymnosperms (microsporangium) and angiosperms (anthers) is comprised mostly of sporophyte (diploid) tissue that surrounds the haploid gametes. The female counterpart to the antheridium is the archegonium.

In mosses, the anteridium is borne on an antheridiophore. Some ascomycetes, water moulds and algae also have antheridia during their reproductive stages.

Example Usage of Antheridium

joddiet: @roblikeslattes bad boy @Antheridium! what did you do? lololololol
carogooch: @roblikeslattes might it have something to do with @Antheridium always being picked on?
roblikeslattes: Wow! @Antheridium was just very mean to BLP for no reason. Poor BLP. You better shape up @Antheridium or no sushi for you!
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