spore

Small reproductive or resting body, usually consisting of just one cell. Unlike a gamete, it does not need to fuse with another cell in order to develop into a new organism. Spores are produced by the lower plants, most fungi, some bacteria, and certain protozoa. They are generally light and easily dispersed by wind movements.

Plant spores are haploid (having a single set of chromosomes in each cell) and are produced by the sporophyte, following meiosis; see alternation of generations.

Bacterial (for example, anthrax) spores pose a threat because they may be resistant to common sterilization procedures, and because they could be treated to create powerful biological weapons.