Antheridia are the male sexual organs of the gametophyte generation
of mosses and liverworts. They consist of simple sacs with a wall usually
only one or two cells thick, and with a short stalk. They may be enclosed
by specialised leaves, or in the case of some thalloid liverworts, lie in
a cavity in the thallus. Inside the sac develop large numbers of cells called
antherocytes. On maturation of the antheridia, and in suitable damp
conditions, these are released and give rise to antherozoids - motile
male gametes. These always require a film of water in which to "swim" to
the female archegonia, where they may effect
fertilisation of an egg cell.
|
