Theca 1728973 217313989 2008-06-05T14:24:08Z Dumelow 805775 remove link to dab page (filament is covered in the anther article) {{Unreferenced|date=January 2008}} [[Image:Anther01.jpg|thumb|right|[[Strawberry]] anther with parallel thecae]] A '''theca''' (plural thecae) refers to any case, covering, or sheath. In '''[[botany]]''', the theca of an [[angiosperm]] is half of the [[anther]]. An anther and its filament form together a typical (or filantherous) [[stamen]], part of the male [[flower|floral]] organ. Each anther is bilocular, i.e. it consists of two thecae. Each theca contains two [[pollen]] sacs (the male [[sporangium]] with the microspores). The tissue between the locules and the cells is called the [[connective]] and the [[parenchyma]]. Both pollen sacs are separated by the [[stomium]]. When the anther is dehiscing, it opens at the stomium. The outer cells of the theca form the [[Epidermis (botany)|epidermis]]. Below the epidermis, the [[somatic]] cells form the [[tapetum (botany)|tapetum]]. These support the development of [[microspore]]s into mature pollen grains. However, little is known about the underlying genetic mechanisms, which play a role in male sporo- and gametogenesis. The thecal arrangement of a typical stamen can be as follows : * divergent : both thecae in line, and forming an acute angle with the filament * transverse (or explanate) : both thecae exactly in line, at right angles with the filament * oblique: the thecae fixed to each other in an oblique way * parallel : the thecae fixed to each other in a parallel way [[Category:Plant physiology]] [[Category:Plant anatomy]] [[Category:Pollination]] In '''[[biology]]''', the [[theca of follicle]] can also refer to the site of [[androgen]] production in females. [[de:Theca]] [[es:Teca (protista)]] [[pl:Pylnik]]