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Overview of the prothallus of a fern
Legend:
1 prothallus
3 archegonia
4 antheridia
2 rhizoids
English name: non-descript
Scientific name: non-descript
Familia: non-descript
Classis: Filicopsida
Phylum: Pteridophyta
Regnum: Plantae
Overview of the prothallium (or prothallus = gametophyte), which constitutes the haploid generation of the fern. The male organs (antheridia) and female organs (archegonia) are located in the lower, respectively higher part on the undersite of this heart-shaped plantlet. The antheridia produce the spermatazoids (or antherozoids) and the archegonia the egg through mitotic divisions. The planlet gets water and nutrient through the root-like structures called rhizoids.