gametophyte

ga·me·to·phyte

noun \gə-ˈmē-tə-ˌfīt\

Definition of GAMETOPHYTE

: the haploid multicellular individual or generation of a plant with alternation of generations that begins with a haploid spore, produces gametes by mitotic division, and ends with fertilization producing a diploid zygote and that constitutes the visibly dominant form in mosses and algae, exists as an independent plant body in ferns and their relatives, and is reduced to a microscopic or rudimentary state in seed plants — compare sporophyte

— ga·me·to·phyt·ic \-ˌmē-tə-ˈfi-tik\ adjective

Origin of GAMETOPHYTE

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use: circa 1889

ga·me·to·phyte

noun \gə-ˈmēt-ə-ˌfīt\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of GAMETOPHYTE

: the individual or generation of a plant exhibiting alternation of generations that bears sex organs—compare sporophyte

—ga·me·to·phyt·ic \-ˌmēt-ə-ˈfit-ik\ adjective

gametophyte

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

In certain plants, the sexual phase (or an individual representing the phase) in the alternation of generations. The alternate, nonsexual phase is the sporophyte. In the gametophyte phase, male and female organs (gametangia) develop and produce eggs and sperm (gametes), which unite in fertilization (syngamy). The fertilized egg (zygote) develops into the sporophyte, which produces numerous single-celled spores, which in turn develop directly into new gametes.