Mycology: General Characteristics, Morphology, and Reproduction

Vocabulary flashcards covering the structural characteristics, morphological forms, dimorphism, and reproductive spores of fungi in mycology.

Chitin

A primary component found in the fungal cell wall.

Ergosterol

The sterol component found in the fungal cell membrane.

Yeasts

Single vegetative cell, "bacteria-like" fungi that reproduce via budding or fission and are identified mainly through biochemical testing and molecular methods.

Molds

Multicellular fungi composed of mycelia, which are long strands of aerial or vegetative hyphae.

Hyphae

Tiny threadlike structures that make up the mycelia and the body of a fungus.

Septate hyphae

Hyphae characterized by the presence of cross walls.

Aseptate hyphae (coenocytic)

Hyphae that do not contain cross walls.

Pectinate hyphae

Hyphae with multiple projections resembling an old comb.

Racquet hyphae

Hyphae composed of club-shaped cells.

Spiral hyphae

Coiled hyphal structures.

Favic hyphae

Hyphae characterized by antler-like ends.

Nodular hyphae

Intertwined hyphae that form round, knot-like structures.

Rhizoids

Root-like hyphal structures.

Hyaline hyphae

Clear or colorless hyphae.

Dematiaceous hyphae

Brown or black hyphae pigmented by melanotic pigments.

Dimorphic fungi

Fungi that change their growth form as a part of the process of tissue invasion.

Thermal dimorphism

The characteristic of existing as a mold form at room temperature ($25\text{--}30$ degrees Celsius) and as a yeast form at body temperature ($35\text{--}37$ degrees Celsius).

Polymorphic fungi

Fungi that exhibit both yeast and mold forms within the same culture (e.g., Exophiala spp.).

Perfect Fungi

Fungi capable of reproducing sexually (and sometimes asexually).

Anamorph

The asexual form of a fungus.

Teleomorph

The sexual form of a fungus.

Imperfect Fungi

Fungi that reproduce exclusively asexually.

Ascospores

Sexual spores (meiospores) contained within an ascus (sac), whose specific shape aids in fungal identification.

Basidiospores

Sexual spores (meiospores) found on the surface of a club-shaped basidium.

Zygospores

Sexual spores (meiospores) formed from the fusion of two sporangiophores.

Oospores

Sexual spores (meiospores) produced by the fusion of $2$ non-identical hyphae.