Archegonium - Structure & Defination

The archegonium is a flask-shaped, multicellular female reproductive organ found in non-flowering plants such as bryophytes, pteridophytes, and some gymnosperms. It is used for storing and developing eggs. Therefore it is an important part whenever we talk about fertilisation. Archegonium is an important topic in Biology and it carries a weightage of 2-3% in NEET and 4-5% in CBSE and other Paramedical Exams.

What is Archegonium?

Archegonium is the female reproductive multi-layered organ of the gametophyte stage in certain plants, particularly mosses and ferns, which produces and carries the female gamete or ovum. The word Archegonia is derived from the word ‘ἀρχή’ i.e., beginning" and ‘γόνος’ which means "offspring". The basic features of Archegonium are discussed below:

• Archegonium is a typical cryptogram bryophyte and in some cases, it is also false under gymnosperms.

• They have a flask-like structure around the neck and the base house of eggs.

• The neck canal is a kind of cell that disappears when the sperm enter during fertilization.

• Antheridium is a male organ which is responsible for producing sperm.

• Archegoniate are the plants that use archegonia for reproduction.

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• Plant Kingdom

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Structure of Archegonia

Fertilisation takes place inside the archegonium. Until the fertilised egg converts into a sporophyte, it stays inside the archegonium. The plant's spore-producing structure is known as a sporophyte. The sporophyte is released by the archegonium after its complete development. The basic structure of Archegonia is discussed below:

• The gametophyte is applied and is an important part of the plant.

• The venter is a bulb-like structure which is used for storing and developing the eggs.

• After maturity, the inner cell of the neck disintegrates and it creates a pathway for the sperms to reach the eggs.

• The sporophyte or the spore-producing structure remains inside the archegonium until complete fertilization occurs.

• They also remain inside until there is complete development.

• Once the complete development is done the sporophyte is released from the archegonium.

Placement of Archegonium in Plants

For archegonia, there is no specific location within a plant. Archegonia are usually found on the thallus surface, however they are deeply lodged inside hornworts. Archegonia are not embedded but rather are found on top of the leafy gametophyte as in moss Physcomitrella patens. Some possible placements of Archegonium are discussed below:

• Sperm in bryophytes and other cryptogams travel through water films to access the archegonium.

• The sperm is delivered by a pollen tube in Pinophyta and Angiosperms, while the pollen is carried by wind or animal vectors.

• The archegonium of gymnosperms is severely reduced and incorporated in their megagametophytes.

• The megasporangium (nucellus) of the ovule's diploid megasporangium cells performs the majority of the job of encircling the gamete.

• The archegonium of gymnosperms develops during pollination within female conifer cones.

Role of archegonium in sexual reproduction

The importance of Archegonium is discussed below:

Types of Questions Asked from Archegonia

During exam preparation, different types of questions about the archegonia are asked. The table below contains the different patterns of questions asked in different exams.

Tips, Tricks, and Strategies for Archegonia

It takes effort to remember everything in a single go. We made the entire problem easy. Some of the tricks regarding Archegonia are given below which you can use to memorise the important points.

Structure of Archegonium

"VNE: Venter, Neck, Egg"

• V: Venter

• N: Neck

• E: Egg

Function of Archegonium

"FZS: Fertilization, Zygote, Sporophyte"

• F: Fertilization

• Z: Zygote

• S: Sporophyte

Archegonium-Dependent Plants

"BPG: Bryophytes, Pteridophytes, Gymnosperms"

• B: Bryophytes

• P: Pteridophytes

• G: Gymnosperms

Fertilization Requirements

"WM: Water, Maturity"

• W: Water

• M: Maturity

Life Cycle Involvement

"SGS: Sporophyte, Gametophyte, Sporophyte"

• S: Sporophyte produces spores.

• G: Gametophyte grows from the spores and houses the archegonium.

• S: New sporophyte grows from the zygote formed in the archegonium.

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