Basidiomycetes

What is a basidiocarp? The fruiting body formed by Basidiomycetes; "carp" means "body."

What is a basidium? The spore-bearing structure on the hymenial surface of a basidiocarp; the defining feature (synapomorphy) of Basidiomycetes.

What are basidiospores? The reproductive cells of basidiomycetes; they form on sterigmata.

What are sterigmata? The "launching platforms" that hold basidiospores on a basidium.

How many basidiospores are typically on a basidium? Four; jelly fungi are the exception.

What are fungal hyphae? The true body of the fungus; filamentous structures that grow by tip elongation and form a mycelium.

Are basidiomycete hyphae septate or aseptate? Septate.

What are dolipore septa? Specialized septa with a barrel-shaped swelling (dolipore) and cap-like parenthosomes on each side.

What is the function of dolipore septa? Allow movement of organelles when needed but restrict movement otherwise.

What are clamp connections? Hyphal structures used by basidiomycetes to transfer nuclei during cell division.

What does "dikaryotic" mean? A cell with two unfused nuclei (n + n).

What structures are unique to Basidiomycota (though not in all members)? Dolipore septa and clamp connections.

What features vary in pileus diversity? Color, texture, form, markings, ornamentation, edge.

What are coverings of the spore-producing surfaces? Cortina and partial veil.

What are the types of hymenial (fertile) surfaces? Gills, pores, teeth, or a continuous layer.

What characteristics can vary in gills? Color, edges, spacing, width, texture, attachment, and position on the stipe.

What is the stipe? The stalk of a mushroom; varies in texture, size, length, and ornamentation.

What additional stipe features may occur? Encased in a volva or root-like base.

What diagnostic spore traits are used? Shape, size, color, ornamentation.

What are examples of spore colors in fungi? White (Russula sanguinea), brown (Cortinarius), pink (Entoloma).

What is gill trama? The arrangement of hyphae within the fruiting structure; determines texture and helps with identification.

What are sphaerocysts? Rounded cells in the gill trama of some fungi like Russula.

How are basidiospores dispersed? By Buller's drop, ink cap deliquescence, or mechanical disturbances in enclosed forms (gasteromycetes).

What is Buller's drop? A water droplet that aids in forcibly discharging basidiospores from sterigmata.

How do enclosed fungi disperse spores? Via mechanical disturbance (not active discharge).

What are hyphal adaptations for? Host access, nutrient access, and migration.

What are appressoria and haustoria? Specialized hyphal structures used by parasitic fungi to attack hosts.

What is the function of an appressorium? Builds pressure to penetrate a host's surface.

What is the function of a haustorium? Grows inside host cells to collect nutrients.

What are nematode-trapping hyphae? Hyphal loops or nets used to catch nematodes for nutrition.

What are arbuscules? Structures similar to haustoria used for nutrient exchange in mycorrhizal fungi.

What are rhizomorphs? Thick, melanized hyphal cords for transport and migration.

What are mycorrhizae? Symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots, often species-specific.

What ecological role do fungi play? Enzymatic decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling.

What is a basidiocarp?

The fruiting body formed by Basidiomycetes; "carp" means "body."

What is a basidium?

The spore-bearing structure on the hymenial surface of a basidiocarp; the defining feature (synapomorphy) of Basidiomycetes.

What are basidiospores?

The reproductive cells of basidiomycetes; they form on sterigmata.

What are sterigmata?

The "launching platforms" that hold basidiospores on a basidium.

How many basidiospores are typically on a basidium?

Four; jelly fungi are the exception.

What are fungal hyphae?

The true body of the fungus; filamentous structures that grow by tip elongation and form a mycelium.

Are basidiomycete hyphae septate or aseptate?

Septate.

What are dolipore septa?

Specialized septa with a barrel-shaped swelling (dolipore) and cap-like parenthosomes on each side.

What is the function of dolipore septa?

Allow movement of organelles when needed but restrict movement otherwise.

What are clamp connections?

Hyphal structures used by basidiomycetes to transfer nuclei during cell division.

What does "dikaryotic" mean?

A cell with two unfused nuclei (n + n).

What structures are unique to Basidiomycota (though not in all members)?

Dolipore septa and clamp connections.

What features vary in pileus diversity?

Color, texture, form, markings, ornamentation, edge.

What are coverings of the spore-producing surfaces?

Cortina and partial veil.

What are the types of hymenial (fertile) surfaces?

Gills, pores, teeth, or a continuous layer.

What characteristics can vary in gills?

Color, edges, spacing, width, texture, attachment, and position on the stipe.

What is the stipe?

The stalk of a mushroom; varies in texture, size, length, and ornamentation.

What additional stipe features may occur?

Encased in a volva or root-like base.

What diagnostic spore traits are used?

Shape, size, color, ornamentation.

What are examples of spore colors in fungi?

White (Russula sanguinea), brown (Cortinarius), pink (Entoloma).

What is gill trama?

The arrangement of hyphae within the fruiting structure; determines texture and helps with identification.

What are sphaerocysts?

Rounded cells in the gill trama of some fungi like Russula.

How are basidiospores dispersed?

By Buller's drop, ink cap deliquescence, or mechanical disturbances in enclosed forms (gasteromycetes).

What is Buller's drop?

A water droplet that aids in forcibly discharging basidiospores from sterigmata.

How do enclosed fungi disperse spores?

Via mechanical disturbance (not active discharge).

What are hyphal adaptations for?

Host access, nutrient access, and migration.

What are appressoria and haustoria?

Specialized hyphal structures used by parasitic fungi to attack hosts.

What is the function of an appressorium?

Builds pressure to penetrate a host's surface.

What is the function of a haustorium?

Grows inside host cells to collect nutrients.

What are nematode-trapping hyphae?

Hyphal loops or nets used to catch nematodes for nutrition.

What are arbuscules?

Structures similar to haustoria used for nutrient exchange in mycorrhizal fungi.

What are rhizomorphs?

Thick, melanized hyphal cords for transport and migration.

What are mycorrhizae?

Symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots, often species-specific.

What ecological role do fungi play?

Enzymatic decomposition of organic material and nutrient cycling.