ABSTRACT
Algae produce different types of spores known as akinetes, endospores, exospores, zoospores, aplanospores, oxospores, zygospores, oospores and cysts. Most of these spores are produced asexually, where as few of them are produced during sexual reproduction. The morphology of some of these spores is helpful in algal taxonomy. The spore wall in Bulbochate elatior is scrobiculate whereas in B. intermedia, it is longitudinally ribbed. The spores of Oedogonium echinospemum have a typically echinate spore wall. The analogy between a spore and a seed can be explained by the fact that both of them germinate and produce the mother plant. The spores of fungi are unicellular or multicellular. The spore morphology of Bryophytes has not received adequate attention though it has been proved that bryophytic spore morphology is very useful in taxonomy. The spores of pteridophyta, like the pollen grains of seed plants, have a highly resistant outer protective coat.
