Soybean and Bees

Megaspores: In angiosperms, one of four haploid cells formed from a megasporocyte during
meiosis. Three of the four megaspores degenerate. The remaining megaspore divides to
produce the female gametophyte, which produces egg cells.
Megasporocyte: A diploid megaspore mother cell in an ovule that forms haploid megaspores
by meiotic division.
Micropyle: A pore in the egg membrane of an insect oocyte, which allows sperm to enter and
fertilize the ovule.
Microsporangia: Male spore development begins with the microsporangia and the embedded
microspore mother cell. The diploid cell is found in a pollen sac of the anther, undergoes
meiosis and produces 4 microspores (haploid). Then, each microspore undergoes mitosis to
produce micro gametophytes (pollen grains, each one with two cells)
Monecious: Having the stamens and the pistils in separate flowers on the same plant.
Nectary: A gland that secretes nectar. Nectaries are usually located at the bases of insectpollinated
flowers, where they serve as an insect attractant.
Nucellus: The mass of tissue in the ovule of a plant that contains the embryo sac. Following
fertilization, it may be absorbed by the developing embryo or persist to form a perisperm.
Perianth: Part of the flower composed by the calyx and the corolla.
Periclinal: Parallel to the surface of an organ or part. In periclinal cell division, the plane of
division is parallel to the surface of the plant body.
Pistil: The female reproductive organ of plants.
Plasmodesmata (singular: plasmodesma): Microscopic channels which traverse the cell
walls of plant cells and some algal cells, enabling transport and communication between
them. Plasmodesmata evolved independently in several lineages and species that have these
structures.
Plumule: The young shoot of a plant embryo above the cotyledons, consisting of the epicotyl
and often of immature leaves.