oospore

[ oh-uh-spawr, -spohr ]

noun

, Biology.

1. a fertilized egg within an oogonium.

oospore

/ ˈəʊəˌspɔː /

noun

1. a thick-walled sexual spore that develops from a fertilized oosphere in some algae and fungi

oospore

/ ō′ə-spôr′ /

1. A fertilized female cell or zygote, especially one with thick chitinous walls, developed from a fertilized oosphere.

Derived Forms

• ˌooˈsporic, adjective

Other Words From

• o·o·spor·ic [oh-, uh, -, spawr, -ik, -, spor, -], o·os·por·ous [oh-, os, -per-, uh, s, oh-, uh, -, spawr, -, uh, s, -, spohr, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of oospore¹

First recorded in 1860–65; oo- + -spore

Example Sentences

C. Formation of zoospores by oospores. z, Free zoospores.

From Project Gutenberg

The oospores give rise to neuter plants, the tetraspores to ♂ or ♀ plants.

From Project Gutenberg

The oospores of the Saprolegniæ, when arrived at maturity, possess a tolerably thick double integument, consisting of an epispore and an endospore.

From Project Gutenberg

After impregnation the fertilized oosphere immediately surrounds itself with a cell-wall and becomes the oospore which by a process of growth forms the embryo of the new plant.

From Project Gutenberg

After the production of this oospore the parent filament gradually loses its vitality and slowly decays.

From Project Gutenberg