AUTOGAMOUS Meaning and
Definition
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Autogamous is an adjective that refers to the process of self-fertilization or self-pollination in plants. Derived from the Greek words "auto" meaning self and "gamos" meaning marriage, autogamy describes the ability of a plant to reproduce without the need for external agents like wind, insects, or other pollinators.
Plants exhibiting autogamy have flowers that possess both male and female reproductive structures, known as hermaphroditic or bisexual flowers. These flowers have anthers, which produce the pollen containing male gametes, as well as a stigma, which receives the pollen and contains the female reproductive organs. In autogamous plants, the pollen from the anther is transferred to the stigma of the same flower, resulting in self-fertilization.
This adaptation allows autogamous plants to bypass the need for external factors to facilitate reproduction, making them more self-reliant. This strategy can be advantageous in environments with limited pollinators or where pollinator visits are infrequent. However, it can lead to reduced genetic diversity within a population, which may limit adaptability and increase the likelihood of genetic disorders.
Autogamy is a common reproductive mechanism among certain plant families, such as the grasses (Poaceae) and many legumes (Fabaceae). It is also an important trait in breeding programs, as it enables breeders to maintain desirable traits through self-pollination, creating more stable and predictable offspring.
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• Relating to or characterized by autogamy.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for AUTOGAMOUS
- zutogamous
- sutogamous
- wutogamous
- qutogamous
- aytogamous
- ahtogamous
- ajtogamous
- aitogamous
- a8togamous
- a7togamous
- aurogamous
- aufogamous
- augogamous
- auyogamous
- au6ogamous
- au5ogamous
- autigamous
- autkgamous
- autlgamous
Etymology of AUTOGAMOUS
The word "autogamous" is derived from the combination of two Greek roots: "auto" meaning "self" and "gamos" meaning "marriage" or "union". In biological terms, "autogamous" refers to a type of reproduction where an organism can self-fertilize or self-pollinate without requiring external mating. The term was likely coined in the late 19th or early 20th century when discussing different reproductive strategies in plants and animals.
Similar spelling words for AUTOGAMOUS
