Sporangium

A structure in which spores are formed and released. In many plants and algae, spore production involves meiosis.

Sporogenesis: The process by which spores are formed from precursor cells. Sporogenesis is the central process carried out within a sporangium.
Spore: A reproductive cell capable of developing into an organism without fusion with another cell. Spores are the products that sporangia contain or release.
Microsporangium: A sporangium that produces microspores, which typically develop into male gametophytes. It is the male-spore-producing type in heterosporous plants.
Fern: A vascular plant that reproduces by spores and does not produce seeds or flowers. Fern sporangia commonly occur in clusters called sori on fronds.
Meiosis: A cell division process that halves chromosome number and produces genetically varied cells. In many plant sporangia, meiosis produces haploid spores from diploid cells.
Sporophyte: The diploid, spore-producing phase in the life cycle of plants and many algae. Plant sporangia develop on the sporophyte generation.
Megasporangium: A sporangium that produces megaspores, which typically develop into female gametophytes. It contrasts with microsporangia by producing the larger spore type.
Moss: A small, nonvascular land plant whose life cycle includes a spore-producing sporophyte. Its sporophyte bears a capsule that functions as a sporangium.
Sporopollenin: A highly resistant biopolymer that forms much of the outer walls of spores and pollen grains. Its durable coating helps spores survive after leaving the sporangium.
Gametophyte: The haploid, gamete-producing phase in the life cycle of plants and many algae. Unlike the sporangium-bearing sporophyte, this generation produces gametes.

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