Mycology Terms and Definitions

Start Studying!

Terms

undefined, object

copy deck

Acropetal: -spores are produced in a chain where the youngest spores is at the tip of the chain
Aecio: -prefix meaning cup
Aecium: -in rust fungi, a cuplike structure in which aeciospores are produced
Aeciospore: -a binucleate (dikaryotic) spore of rust fungi
Aflatoxin: -highly toxic substance produced by the Aspergillus fungus
Anamorph: -nonsexual (usually conidial) stage in a fungal life cycle (secual stage is the teleomorph)
Anastomosis: -hyphal fusion
Aneuploid: -condition in which an abnormal number of chromosomes is present in a cell
Annulus: -the 'ring'; a band of tissue encircling the stem of a mushroom (eg: commercial button mushrooms), sometimes movable
Antheridium: -a sperm producing structure
Apex: -tip
Apical: -at the tip (opposite of basal - at the base)
Apo: -prefix meaning open
Apothecium: -open disk like ascoma
Appressorium: -a flat swelling that forms on the end of a germ tube which adheres to the surface of the host before penetrating it
Arbuscule: -hyphae with a shrubby appearance which mycorrhizal fungi form inside root cells of the associated plant
Areole: - a portion of a lichen thallus separated from other areoles by cracks
Arthropods: -animals with exoskeletons, such as insects, spiders and crabs
Arthrospore: -a conidium formed from restructuring the walls of a septate hypha, so that it breaks into separate segments (hyphal fragmentation) eg Geotrichum
Asco: -prefix meaning sack
Ascocarp: -ascus bearing structure of an ascomycete
Ascoma (ta): -ascus bearing structure of an ascomycete
Ascogenous hyphae: -hyphae containing paired haploid male and female nucle, that eventually give rise to asci
Ascogonium: -female gametangium of the ascomycetes
Ascospore: -spore produced within an ascus
Ascus: -sack like structure containing the sexual spores of ascomycetes
Auto: -prefix meaning self
Axenic: -a culture that contains only one species and is free of any other living organism
-pure culture
Ballisto: -prefix meaning throw
Ballistospore: -sexual spore formed externally on a basidium
Basidium: -structure producing the seual spores of basidiomycetes. 2 major kinds, distinguished by lacking (HOLOBASIDIA) or having (HETEROBASIDIA) septa.
Basipetal: -spores produced in a chain where the youngest spore is at the base of the chain
Bitunicate: -a type of ascus in which the wall has two functional layers, the inner membrane protrudes through the external membrane during spore release (compare with unitunicate)
Blastic development: -formation of a conidium by enlargement/maturation of a newly formed conidiogenous cell, before isolation by a septum. eg: phialides/phialospores
Blastospore: -a spore which has been budded off, as in yeast
Budding: -a process of multiplication in yeasts or sprores where there is development of a new cell (or spore) from a small outrowth
Cap: -the expanded, upper part of the mushroom
Cap trama: -interwoven sterile hyphae of a mushroom cap
Capillitium: -a mass of sterile fibres found in the interior of many spore bearing structures that appears to have an important function in spore disposal
Central: -describing mushrooms
-with stem attched at the centre of the cap
Cephalodium: -a small globose body that contains an alga different from that present in the majority of a lichen thallus
-function is to fix nitrogen
-found in upper cortex or medulla
Chlamydospore: -a thick walled spore produced by thallic development. Often pigmented
Chitin: -a tough, nitrogen containing polysaccharide forming the cell walls of certain fungi
Chitridio: -prefix meaning little pot
Circinate: -twisted round, coiled
Clamp connection: -in Basidiomycota, a lateral connection between adjacent cells of a hypha
Cleisto: -prefix meaning closed
Cleistothecium: -a closed, spherical ascoma
Columella(-ae): -a sterile column of hyphae within a spore bearing structure, often extending a supporting stalk. Sterile central axis in a mature fruit body. Typical of zygomycete sporangia
Coenocytic: -an organism containing multiple nuclei not separate by cell walls
Conidium(-ia): -asexually formed spore(s); a relatively thin walled asecual spore that is terminal on the conidiophore, and deciduous (falls off) at maturity
Conidiogenous cells: -cells that directly produce conidia, such as phialides
Conidiophore: -simple or branched hypha (a fertile hypha) bearing conidiogenous cells
Convex: -somewhat the shape of a half sphere, regularly rounded on top
Coprophilous: -living on shit
Copulation zone: -area on a culture plate where sexual fusion occurs
Cortex: -the outer layer of any organ or structure
Corti: -prefix meaning bark
Corticolous: -living on the bark of shrubs and trees
Crozier: -a structure with a hooked end
-eg: as in ascomycetes
Crustose: -flat crust like lichen thallus with no lower cortex that adheres closely to the substratum
Cylindrical: -having the shape of a cylinder
Cyphella: -small aerated opening found on the lower surface of the majority of lichens
Cystidium: -a large, sterile cell that grows amoung the basidia often projecting beyond the hymenium
-usually plays a supportive role
Decomposer: -organisms that break down organic material
Dendroid: -treelike in form
Dentate: -toothed
Detritus: -loose natural material resulting from the disintegration of rocks or organisms
-organic garbage
Deuteromycete: -fungi whose life cycle is largely or exclusively asexual, reproducing by conidia
-typically when the secual stage is known, these are then known as ASCOMYCETES
Dichotomous: -divided into 2
Dikaryotic: -having pairs of nuclei within cells
Discharge papilla: -exit pore for gametes in Allomyces gametangia
Dung: -shit
Eccentric: -not attached to the center
Ectoplasm: -outer gel like layer of cytoplasm that lies immediately beneath the plasma membrane
Ellipsoid: -elliptical, with both ends similar (see ovoid)
Encyst: -to become dormant and form a protective coating or cst
Endoparasitic: -organism that lives inside the body of another organism and benfits from the relationship at the expense of the host
Endoplasm: -the inner layer of cytoplasm within which are embedded cell organelles
Ergot: -term aplied to the disease of cereals caused by Claviceps spp.
Eu: -prefix meaning true
Facultative parasite: -an organism that has the ability to live on another living organism, or on dead organic material, depending upon the circumstances
Fertile: -able to produce spores
Fertilization tube: -a tube that originates from the antheridium aiding in the transfer of the male gametic nucleus
Filiform: -threadlike
Flagellum(whiplash and tinsel): -the motile apparatus of oomycetes and chtridiomycetes, containing a microtubular axoneme
-whiplash flagella (Oo & Chytrid) are smooth, and posterior to the direction of zoospore motion
-tinsel type flagella (Oo) are covered with mastigonemes and are anterior to the direction of zoospore motion
Fleshy: -rather soft and spongy; often describing mushroom caps
Foliose: -type of lichen thallu made up of small leaf like lobes that extend in a circular pattern from a center of growth; possess both upper and lower cortex
Foot cell: -hyphal cell that supports a sporogenous cell
Form genous: -an artificial taxon given to a group of organisms based on structure or other characteristics when the true taxonomy has not been determined
Fragile: -easily broken
Fruticose: -a lichen thallus that is attached to the substrate by a single point, develops branches and becomes shrub like
-radially symmetrical surrounded by a cortex
Funicular: -being aggregated into little cords or bundles
Furcate: -forked
Fusiform: -spindle shaped, narrowing at each end
Gametangium: -sexual organ that contains gametes
Gamy: -prefix of suffix meaning fusion/union
Gelatinous: -the consistency of jelly
Germ pore: -special region of the spore from wich germination occurs, often appearing as a circle on the spore wall
Germ sporangium: -sporeangium which originates by the germination of an oospore
Germ tube: -short hypha that sprouts from the germ pore of a spore during germination
Gills: -blade like structures on the underside of mushroom caps in the Agaricales
Globose: -spherical or nearly so
Grex: -aggregation plasmodium
Haustorium: -an absorbant organ that originates from the hypha of a parasitic fungus
Hetero: -prefix meaning other
Heterobasidium: -septate basidium characteristic of rusts and smuts (the Teliomycetes)
Heteroecious: -parasitic fungus that completes part of its life cycle on one host and the other portion on a different species of host
Heterokaryosis: -genetically different nuclei associated in the same cell
Heterokont: -organisms with flagella of different length
Heterotroph: -organism that feeds on organic materials of other plants and animals
Heteromerous: -having a layered thallus (lichens)
Heterothallism: -self sterility
Hilum: -a scar indicating a point of attachment
Holobasidium: -basidium typically lacking septa with synchronous spore maturation; characteristic of mushrooms
Homo: -prefix meaning same
Homokaryotic: -a cell that has genetically similar nuclei
Homoimerous: -of a lichen thallus, having the fungal and algal components intermixed throughout
Homothallism: -self fertility
Hyaline: -devoid of colour
Hydrophobins: -molecules that repel water
Hymenium: -fertile layer of a sporocarp, for example on ascomata and basidiomata
Hymenophore: -part of the fungus on which the hymenium is borne
Hypertrophy: -abnormal increase in the size of cells
Hypha: -tubular filaments that represent the structural entity in the majority of the fungi
Hypothallus: -undifferentiated or marginal hyphal (fungal) outgrowth, in lichens
Hypothecium: -thin upper layer of the apothecial tissue on which the asci rest
Inner veil: -protective tissue layer covering the gills in mushrooms
-will break at maturity leaving he annulus on the stipe
Intercalary: -between base and apex
Isidium: -a microscopic outgrowth formed on the upper surface of the lichen thalli that serves to vegetatively propagate the species
Isomorphic: -organs or structures similar in shape
Karyo: -prefix meaning nucleus
Karyogamy: -fusion of 2 nuclei to form the zygote nucleus
Lamella(ae): -a singl leaf (or leaves) of a gill in mushrooms
Lignicolous: -growing on wood
Lirella: -linear apothecium of lichens
Lenticular: -lens shaped
Locule: -a cavity
Macroconidium(ia): -larger, generally more distinctive conidium form for a species that also has microconidia
Macrocyst: -a giant cell in whcih zygotes are formed during the life cycle of some slime molds
Mastigonemes: -hair like covering on tinsel type flagella
Mazaedium: -mucilaginous and powdery mass that appears in the ascocarp of certain ascomycetes; a pin like fruit body of certain lichens
Medulla: -internal tissue of an organ, soft or spongy in nature
Membranous: -like a membrane; thin and flexible
Meristem: -actively dividing cells
merous: -suffix meaning part (eg: trimerous means in 3 parts)
Microconidium(ia): -smaller, less distinctive conidium form for a species that also has macroconidia
Mushroom: -the reproductive body of certain basidiomycetes; typically consists of cap, stem and gills
Mutualism: -'living together' of unlike species to their mutual benefit
-eg: mycorrhizae, lichens
Mycelium(ia): -a mass of hyphae, with or without septa
Mycobiont: -fungal component of a lichen
Mycoparasite: -a fungus parasitic on another fungus
Mycorrhizae: -symbiotic association between hyphae of certain fungi and the roots of vascular plants
Myxamoeba: -the amoeba that results from germination of a spore
oecious: -suffix meaning house
Ontogeny: -developement
Oogonium: -unicellular female sex organ that contains one or several eggs
Oosphere: -female gametes formed within the oogonium
Oospore: -a spore that results from the fertilization of an oosphere
Operculum: -a covering to an open chamber
Ostiole: -opening at the top of reproductive structures
Ovoid: -like a hens egg, with one end narrower than the other, wide end at the base
Para: -prefix meaning beside
physis: -suffix meaning growth
Paraphyses: -sterile determinate hyphae that separate asci in some ascomata
Parasexuality: -a secual reproductive process generating an offspring cel containing genetic material from more than a single parent but without standard meiosis or fertilization
-shitty mitosis
-occurs in deutormycetes
-3 stages: 1) heterokaryosis; 2)diploidization; 3)haploidization
Parasitic: -living on or within another organism and obtaining nutrients at the expense of that organism (see mutualistic and symbiotic)
Pendulous: -hanging down
Per: -prefix meaning 'more than'
Perforate: -having pores
Peri: -prefix meaning around
Peridiole: -small round bodies that contain the basidia and basidiospores in Nidulariales
Peridium: -a wall that envelopes a fruiting body
Persistent: -remaining for a long time
Perithecium: -a flasklike ascoma
Phago: -prefix meaning to eat
Phagocytosis: -uptake of materials into cells by means of infagination of the plasma membrane
Phagotroph: -an organism feeding by means of phagocytosis
Phialide: -a cell that develops an open end from which a succession of spores are produced, without the phialide increasing in length
-Basipetal spore formation
-phialides are typically flask shaped and are characteristic of Penicillium and Aspergillus spp
Phototrophic: -an organism whose nutritional mode of obtaining energy is derived from light to synthesize organic compounds by photosynthesis
Phycobiont: -the algal component of a lichen
Pileus: -the outer sterile covering of a mushroom cap
podium: -suffix meaning foot
Plasmodium: -vegetative, multinucleate, motile mass of cytoplasm, lacking cell wall and contained within a single cell membrane, characteristic of myxomycetes (see pseudoplasmodium)
Plasmogamy: -fusion of the protoplasts of gametes
Podetium: -an erect stem like structure on which apothecia are formed in fruticose lichens
Pore: -structure in the tips of some asci, often containing starch
Pro: -prefix meaning before
Progametangium: -a lateral hyphal branch that differentiates into a gametangium and then later a suspensor of the zygosporangium, in Zygomycota
Propagule: -any structure that serves to propagate or vegetatively multiply an organism
Pseudo: -prefix meaning false
Pseudohyphae: -hyphae like chains of linked yeast cells
Pseudoplasmodium: -plasmodium formed by aggregation of amoeboid cells, then behaving as a single entity before sporulation, characteristic of Dictyostelium (compare with plasmodium)
Pseudothecium: -an ascostroma bearing asci in unwalled locules
Pycnidium(a): -flask shaped fruiting bodies containing conidia (asexual spores), and resembling a perithecium
Recurved: -curved with the outside of the curve expanded (like a sickle, or a new moon)
Resting spore: -thick walled spore that requires a period of dormancy before before germination
Rhizoid: -a root like structure, a filamentous branch like extension for feeding rather than reproduction
Rhizomorph: -a specialized root like structure found in certain fungi
Sapro: -prefix meaning rotten
Saprobic/Saprophytic: -gaining nutrients from dead, organic material
Saxi: -prefix meaning rock
Saxicolous: -organism that lives attached to the surface of rocks
Sclerotium: -firm, frequently rounded mass of hyphae, lacking spores per se, but functioning for long term survival
Septum: -a transverse wall in a cell or a hypha
Sessile: -without a stem; attached directly to the substrate
Setae: -bristles
Shuttle streaming: -periodic reversal of cytoplasmic streaming in plasmodium of slime molds
Simple: -opposite of branched
Somatogamy: -the fusion of somatic cells during plasmogamy
Soralium: -a cortical pustule of various types in the lichen thallus through which the soredia are released to the exterior
Soredium: -vegetative propagule of lichens; it consists of minute clusters of algal cells surrounded by fungal hyphae
Sorocarp: -sexual reproductive structure in which haploid meiotic spores are formed
Sorus: -fruiting structure consisting of a mass of spores and sporangia
Spermagonium: -structure in which spermatia are produced
Spermatiophore: -specialized hypha that produces spermatia
Sporangiophore: -specialized hypha that produces and supports one or more sporangia
Sporangium: -large asexual sporogenous structure in oomycetes, chytridiomycetes, zygomycetes, containing many sporangiospores
Sporangiospore: -non sexual spore produced by rearrangement/packaging of preexisting cytoplasm within a sporangium
Spore: -general term for a reproductive structure of fungi, that does not contain an embryo
-in fungi, spores may be single or multicelled
Sporocladium(ia): -complex of zygomycete sporangia
Sporodochium(ia): -cushion of laterally fused or compacted conidiophores, typical of Fusarium sp.
Sp(p): -abbreviation for species, singular and plural
Stalked: -with a stem
Stellate: -star shaped
Sterigma: -small projection upon which basidiospores are formed
Stipe: -stalk of mushroom
Stolon: -horizontal hypha that vecomes anchored in the substrate at points of contact
Stroma: -fused mass of hyphae appearing as a tissue
Subtending: -extending from underneath
Suspensor: -a hyphal branch that supports
Swarm cells: -motile spores, also known as zoospores
Symbioses: -'living together' of unlike species to their mutual benefit
Teleomorph: -sexual stage in a fungal life cycle (nonsexual stage is the anamorph)
Teliospore: -in rust fungi, a thick walled spore in which karyogamy and meiosis occur
Telium: -the structure that produces teliospores
Terrestrial: -on the ground
Terri: -prefix meaning earth
Terricolous: -an organism that lives in the soil
Thallic developement: -conidia are derived from a pre existing cell, the fertile hypha
-septa are inserted after growth of the fertile hypha has ceased, and additional wall changes may occur
Thallus: -multicellular vegetative body, typically mycelial, and typically non motile
thecium: -suffix meaning case
Tinsel flagella: -flagellum that bears small filaments (MASTIGONEMES) extending from its main axis
Trama: -the inner sterile tissue of the cap or gill
Trichogyne: -a receptive protuberance of the female gametangium for the conveyance of spermatia (Rhodophyta) or male nuclei (Ascomycota)
Umbilicus: -structure for attachment of thallus in certain lichens
Unitunicate: -asci with a single membrane layer, sometimes with a pore structure or operculum (lid)
Universal veil: -covering that surrounds the basidocarp
Urediniospore: -in rust fungi, a reddish, binucleate spore
Uredinium: -the structure that produces urediniospores
-the pustule

Start Studying!

Deck Info

Number of cards 250