Fungal Reproduction

pheromone

A chemical signal released by an organism and meant to trigger a response in another individual organism; used by animal and non-animal (plant, fungal) organisms.

spore

A unicellular, environmentally resistant and reproductive structure formed by asexual mitosis or sexually by meiosis.

Describe sexual and asexual reproduction in fungi with spores.

Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually, and both types of reproduction result in the release of spores. A haploid spore will germinate and give rise to a structure that will make more identical spores and then release them, as seen with conidia in Ascomycete fungi. Sexual reproduction often involves the joining of two different mating types of the same species. After a period of fused cytoplasms (plasmogamy), the nuclei can also come together to make a diploid zygote (karyogamy). The zygote can give rise via meiosis to new haploid spores that are genetically different from either parent. Many differences occur between groups of fungi in the timing of karyogamy, the structures produced for sexual reproduction and how they make their particular type of sexually derived haploid spore. Ascomycetes make ascospores in asci, Basidiomycetes make basidiospores on basidia, and Zygomycetes make zygospores by the fusion of two gametangia.

plasmogamy

Fusion of cytoplasm of opposite mating types of fungal hyphae.

karyogamy

Fusion of nuclei, usually following plasmogamy, in fungi.

dikaryotic

Hyphae with two nuclei per cell.

heterokaryon

Meaning different nuclei; stage of newly combined mycelia.

Describe the structure and function of a fungal spore.

Most fungal spores exist as haploid cells that can often enter into either asexual or sexual cycles. A fungal spore can germinate into a new mycelia if it lands in the proper conditions. Some spores can maintain an inactive state until desirable conditions arise. Nearly all spores are haploid.

budding

Process of asexual reproduction by which offspring grow directly from parent's body via cell division.

Describe the importance of tracking fungal spores by monitoring.

Since fungi can live on anything from drywall to fruit and produce tons of spores, monitoring for fungi is critical because of the health threat posed by spores. Inhaling fungal spores can represent a serious health problem for many individuals, especially those suffering from asthma or a weakened immune system.

Describe budding in yeast as a form of asexual reproduction.

Some unicellular fungi, such as yeast, reproduce asexually by simple cell division. Yeast fungi reproduce asexually in a process called budding. One yeast cell simply makes a copy of its DNA and then divides, much like basic cell division — separating the two copies of the genetic information and pinching off a section of the cytoplasm, including all necessary cellular components.

conidia

Structures on which asexual spores are produced.