microspore

[ mahy-kruh-spawr, ‑-spohr ]

noun

, Botany.

1. the smaller of the two kinds of spores characteristically produced by seed plants and some fern allies, developing into a male gametophyte. Compare megaspore,
2. a pollen grain.

microspore

/ ˈmaɪkrəʊˌspɔː /

noun

1. the smaller of two types of spore produced by some spore-bearing plants, which develops into the male gametophyte Compare megaspore
2. the pollen grain of seed plants

microspore

/ mīk′rə-spôr′ /

1. One of the two types of haploid spores produced by a heterosporous plant. Microspores develop into male gametophytes and are usually smaller than megaspores. In angiosperms, the microspore develops into the pollen grain.

Derived Forms

• ˌmicroˈsporic, adjective

Other Words From

• mi·cro·spor·ic [mahy-kr, uh, -, spawr, -ik, ‑-, spor, ‑], mi·cro·spor·ous [mahy-kr, uh, -, spawr, -, uh, s, ‑-, spohr, ‑, mahy-, kros, -per-, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of microspore¹

First recorded in 1855–60; micro- + -spore

Example Sentences

In germination they develop a minute prothallus which bears archegonia to be fertilized by antherozoids developed from the microspores.

From Project Gutenberg

Three small cells occur inside the cavity of the microspore; two of them collapse and the third divides into two, forming a stalk-cell and a larger body-cell.

From Project Gutenberg

Same divided lengthwise, equally magnified; some microspores seen at the left.

From Project Gutenberg

In both forms cysts containing megaspores and megasporozoites, and others containing microspores and microsporozoites are found, considered as representing sexual differentiation thrown back to the very earliest stages of the life-cycle.

From Project Gutenberg

It is clear, however, that in all these conidia, macrospores, microspores, and some spermatia, or by whatever names they may be called, there exists a power of germination.

From Project Gutenberg