HETEROTROPOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Heterotropous is an adjective that describes a biological characteristic or phenomenon related to the reproductive structures and mechanisms of certain organisms, particularly plants. The term is derived from the Greek words "heteros," meaning "different," and "tropos," meaning "turn" or "direction."
In botanical terms, heterotropous refers to the positioning or orientation of the ovules within a flower. Normally, ovules are described as orthotropous, where they are positioned upright or erect, with the micropyle (the opening through which the pollen tube enters) located at the top. However, organisms exhibiting heterotropous flowers have ovules that are not oriented in the conventional orthotropous manner.
Heterotropous flowers typically harbor ovules that are positioned in non-upright or inverted orientations, lying parallel or oblique to the ovary wall. This arrangement often requires a sort of "twisting" or curving of the ovule or its stalk. Consequently, these plants may have adapted pollen tubes or other specialized structures to navigate this irregular pathway and successfully fertilize the ovule.
The heterotropous condition can be observed in certain families of flowering plants, including Orchidaceae (orchids) and Malvaceae (mallow family). The unique placement of ovules in heterotropous flowers can have implications for pollination, fertilization, and seed development, ultimately contributing to the diversity and adaptability of plant reproductive strategies in nature.
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Lying across-applied to the embryo of seeds when they lie in an oblique position.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Common Misspellings for HETEROTROPOUS
- geterotropous
- beterotropous
- neterotropous
- jeterotropous
- ueterotropous
- yeterotropous
- hwterotropous
- hsterotropous
- hdterotropous
- hrterotropous
- h4terotropous
- h3terotropous
- hererotropous
- heferotropous
- hegerotropous
- heyerotropous
- he6erotropous
- he5erotropous
- hetwrotropous
Etymology of HETEROTROPOUS
The word "heterotropous" is derived from two Greek roots: "hetero" meaning "other" or "different", and "tropos" meaning "turn" or "direction". In the context of biology, the term is used to describe a particular type of plant ovule or flower ovary where the ovule is turned or oriented in a different direction from the usual or expected position.
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