Studies in the Cytology of Pteriodophyta, XXIX

Does the spermatozoid accompany the plastid in fertilizaiton?

Abstract

The spermatozid of Marchantia and Dumortiera is composed of the nucleus, the “V” portion and the “P” portion. The “V” portion is composed of the large grobule of carbohydrate (C) and its cytoplasmic sheath. In the “P” portion a small plastid (D), can be observed, attached to the “C” grobule.
The spermatozoid in or around the, neck-portion of the archegonium of Marchantia has a plastid in its posterior cytoplasmic portion as it was and is thought to bring the plastid into the egg-cell in fertilization. The behaviour of the plastid in fertilization will be discussed in Anthoceros, Dumortiera and Athyrium in the future publication.