(1) Numerous antherozoids are produced in the antheridia and they swim through the covering film of water to reach the archegonia, each of which contains a single egg cell.(2) On their release from the antheridia, the antherozoids must then swim through surface water to fertilize neighbouring egg cells.(3) When the egg has matured, these canal cells disintegrate to mucus, making way for the antherozoids .(4) At maturity, the antheridium bursts releasing the sperm cells or antherozoids .(5) The egg cells and antherozoids are collectively known as gametes, and the generation of the moss plant that bears them is known as a gametophyte.
