An egg which contains the female genes and is found within the plant ovary – when fertilized, an ovule will grow into a seed.
In seed plants, the ovule is the structure that gives rise to and contains the female reproductive cells. It consists of three parts: the integument, forming its outer layer, the nucellus (or remnant of the megasporangium), and the female gametophyte (formed from a haploid megaspore) in its center. The female gametophyte — specifically termed a megagametophyte — is also called the embryo sac in angiosperms. The megagametophyte produces an egg cell for the purpose of fertilization. The ovule is a small structure present in the ovary. It is attached to the placenta by a stalk called a funicle. The funicle provides nourishment to the ovule. On the basis of the relative position of micropyle, body of the ovule, chalaza and funicle, there are six types of ovules.
English
Etymology
Borrowed from French ovule (“ovum”), from Latin ōvum (“egg”). Doublet of ovolo.
Pronunciation
- IPA(key): /ˈɒvjuːl/
Noun
ovule (plural ovules)
- (botany) The structure in a plant that develops into a seed after fertilization; the megasporangium of a seed plant with its enclosing integuments.
- (zoology) An immature ovum in mammals.
Derived terms
- ovulary
