SPERMATIA Meaning and
Definition
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Spermatia are small, non-motile, haploid reproductive cells produced by certain fungi as a means of sexual reproduction. These highly specialized cells are analogous to male gametes in plants and animals. In the fungal kingdom, spermatia are particularly found in fungi belonging to the Ascomycota phylum.
Typically, spermatia are microscopic, consisting of a minute, pear-shaped or cylindrical structure that often contains a nucleus and some cytoplasm. They are produced in specialized structures known as spermatial or spermatogenous cells, which are usually found on the surface of the mycelium or reproductive structures of the fungi.
The main function of spermatia is to fertilize compatible female structures or sexual organs called ascogonia or receptive hyphae during sexual reproduction in fungi. In this process, spermatia are released into the environment to encounter and fuse with the receptive sexual structures, ultimately leading to the formation of a zygote. The resulting zygote then develops into a new organism or ascus, a sac-like structure in which meiosis occurs, resulting in the production of genetically diverse spores.
Spermatia are crucial for genetic variability and the exchange of genetic material between different fungi, as they facilitate the fusion of compatible mating types. This process is essential for promoting genetic diversity and adaptability within fungal populations.
Overall, spermatia are essential reproductive cells produced by certain fungi, facilitating sexual reproduction and the production of genetically diverse spores, thereby contributing to the survival and evolution of these organisms.
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In bot., motionless spermatozoids in the conceptacles of fungi.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for SPERMATIA
- apermatia
- zpermatia
- xpermatia
- dpermatia
- epermatia
- wpermatia
- soermatia
- slermatia
- s-ermatia
- s0ermatia
- spwrmatia
- spsrmatia
- spdrmatia
- sprrmatia
- sp4rmatia
- sp3rmatia
- speematia
- spedmatia
- spefmatia
- spetmatia
Etymology of SPERMATIA
The word "spermatia" is derived from the Latin word "sperma", which means "seed". In botany and mycology, "spermatia" refers to small, non-motile male reproductive cells produced by fungi or lower plants like algae. These cells are typically involved in the fertilization process. The term "spermatia" was first coined in the mid-19th century, combining the Latin root "sperma" with the suffix "-ia" denoting a plural or collective form.
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