gametophyte

noun/ɡəˈmitoʊˌfaɪt/

Frequency rank: #19,833 most common English word

Meaning

the haploid, gamete-producing phase in the life cycle of a plant or alga that alternates with the sporophyte generation.

Illustration for the English word “gametophyte”

Example sentence

In the fern life cycle, the tiny heart-shaped structure that produces eggs and sperm is called gametophyte.

Synonyms & related words

  • prothallus
  • thallus

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