MOSS SEXUAL REPRODUCTION---ARCHEGONIUM with an UNFERTILIZED EGG, 100X - stock photo

MOSS SEXUAL REPRODUCTION---ARCHEGONIUM with an UNFERTILIZED EGG, 100X. This image shows an archegonium with an unfertilized egg, and distinct neck canal cells above the unfertilized egg. These neck canal cells break down allowing sperm to swim down the canal to fertilize the egg. Other moss plants have antheridia that produce sperm. A single sperm can fertilize the unfertilized egg producing a zygote that develops into the sporophyte generation that produces spores that can produce new moss plants (gametophytes) that can develop archegonia and antheridia. This is called alternation of generations.