What is the Difference Between Androecium and Gynoecium?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The androecium and gynoecium are essential reproductive whorls of a flower, responsible for producing male and female gametes, respectively. The main differences between androecium and gynoecium are:
- Function: Androecium produces pollen grains containing male gametes, while gynoecium produces ovules containing female gametes.
- Structure: Androecium consists of stamens, each with an anther and filament. Gynoecium, on the other hand, is composed of the pistil, which includes the style, stigma, and ovary.
- Position: Androecium is the third whorl of a flower, while gynoecium is the innermost whorl and the female reproductive part of the flower.
- Terminology: Androecium refers to the male part of the flowers, whereas gynoecium refers to the female part of the flower.
Flowers can be categorized as bisexual, containing both androecium and gynoecium, or unisexual, containing either androecium or gynoecium.
On this pageWhat is the Difference Between Androecium and Gynoecium? Comparative Table: Androecium vs Gynoecium
Comparative Table: Androecium vs Gynoecium
The table below highlights the differences between androecium and gynoecium:
Feature | Androecium | Gynoecium |
---|---|---|
Function | Produces and releases pollen grains | Receives pollen grains, forms the pollen tube, and provides ovules for fertilization |
Part of the Flower | Male reproductive unit (stamen) | Female reproductive unit (pistil) |
Components | Anther and filament | Stigma, style, and ovary |
Gametocytes | Microgametocytes (male gametes) | Megagametophytes (female gametes) |
Type of Spores | Microspores | Macrospores |
Role in Seed and Fruit Development | Does not participate | Promotes the development |
Androecium and gynoecium are the reproductive whorls of a flower, with the androecium being the male part and the gynoecium being the female part. Flowers can be bisexual, containing both whorls, or unisexual, containing either the androecium or the gynoecium.
Read more:
- Polyandrous vs Polyadelphous Androecium
- Gynandromorph vs Hermaphrodite
- Antheridia vs Archegonia
- Angiosperms vs Gymnosperms
- Amphithecium vs Endothecium
- Apothecium vs Perithecium
- Calyx vs Corolla
- Monoecious vs Dioecious
- Stamen vs Pistil
- Gamete vs Gametophyte
- Sporophyte vs Gametophyte
- Androgen vs Estrogen
- Gonads vs Gametes
- Sporangia vs Gametangia
- Apothecium vs Cleistothecia
- Actinomorphic vs Zygomorphic Flower
- Hermaphrodite vs Pseudohermaphrodite
- Male vs Female Gametes
- Cryptogams vs Phanerogams