| |
(See the taxonomy page for terminology
relating to specific groups of fungi.) |
| aseptate |
Lacking septa. E.g. oomycetes
and zygometes have aseptate hyphae. |
| cellulose |
A resistant polymer of glucose found in plant cell walls and
also in oomycetes and cellular
slime moulds. |
| chitin |
A resistant polysaccharide that provides structural support
to fungal cell walls, giving them strength and shape, and also
occurs in insect exoskeletons and in other arthropods. It is
a polymer of a modified form of glucose (having nitrogen added). |
| conidium |
An asexual, unicellular spore produced externally from fungal
mycelium (not formed within a sporangium. |
| dikaryotic |
Having a pair of nuclei in each cell. |
| dimorphic |
Having two distinct growth forms within the same species. |
| diploid |
Having two sets of chromosomes. Sometimes written as '2n'. |
| eukaryote |
A eukaryotic organism, i.e. one in which the cells are divided
by internal membranes (endomembranes) into compartments with
different functions (compare prokaryotes). This group or 'domain'
contains the 'kingdoms' of protists, fungi, animals and plants. |
| fruiting bodies |
A general term for the structures which bear the spores and
spore-producing organs (or sporangia) of fungi, such as the
basidiocarps (toadstools, mushrooms and brackets) of basidiomycetes
or the ascocarps of ascomycetes.
Also known as fruit-bodies or sporophores. |
| haploid |
Having only one set of chromosomes. Sometimes represented
as 'n', with 'n' standing for the number of chromosomes in the
'set'. |
| hypha |
| The basic unit
of growth of most fungi. May be considered as a series
of cells joined together to form a filament. These "cells"
may be separated by a cross wall called a septum,
which allows the flow of nutrients, but restricts organelles
to the cell in which they were made. |
|
Hyphae show apical growth, making them well adapted for penetrating
solid media. They also tend to branch, often forming a larger
network known as a mycelium.
Hyphae can also fuse to form solid structures such as fruiting
bodies. |
| meiosis |
Division of a diploid nucleus to form
haploid daughter nuclei. The process
includes the exchange of genetic material ('crossing over')
between the paired chromosomes of the 'parent' nucleus. Chromosomes
undergo replication only once, but there are TWO nuclear divisions,
so that FOUR haploid daughter nuclei are formed. |
| mycelium |
| The 'network'
of fungal growth that forms as hyphae
grow and branch. Older hyphae may also fuse (anastomosis)
with neighbouring hyphae. |
|
Diagram of
mycelial growth (point to activate) |
|
| prokaryote |
An organism (e.g. bacteria) lacking a distinct nucleus or
other functional membrane-bound compartments. |
| protist |
A member of the kingdom Protista or Protoctista (in modern
classifications), which comprises single-cellular, colony-forming
and some multicellular forms. It is thought that this kingdom
contains forms similar to the ancestors of the other three eukaryote
kingdoms (fungi, plants and animals). |
| septum |
see hypha |
| sporangium |
A spore-producing structure. |
| spore |
A reproductive structure, usually very small, which can
germinate and give rise to a new fungus. They may be produced
sexually or asexually, and can be either dispersal or survival
structures. |
| thallus |
A vegetative or fungal structure or "body", not
divided into stem, leaves and roots, for example the "plant
body" of lichens or algae. |
| toxin |
A poisonous substance produced by a living organism. |
| yeast |
| This can refer to any fungus,
regardless of its classification, which exists as single
cells rather than hyphae. It appears to be a growth form
particularly adapted for liquid media (compare hyphae).
These cells reproduce by budding. The most typical yeasts,
including the baker's or brewer's yeast Saccharomyces
cerevisiae are ascomycetes,
but the yeast form can also occur in other fungi when
they are grown in sugary liquid media. |
Diagram of budding
in a yeast cell (point to activate) |
|
| zygote |
The diploid cell that is formed as
a product of fertilisation (i.e. the fusion of male and female
gametes, or of nuclei of opposite mating types). |
