A sporangium is a specialized structure found in certain plants, fungi, and algae that produces and contains spores. Spores are reproductive cells that can develop into new individuals. In plants, sporangia are often located on the undersides of leaves or in clusters, while in fungi, they can be found at the tips of specialized hyphae. The formation of spores within a sporangium allows for the dispersal and propagation of the species. When conditions are favorable, the sporangium releases the spores into the environment, where they can germinate and grow into new organisms, contributing to the life cycle of the organism, such as ferns or mushrooms.