Basidiospore
Encyclopedia
A basidiospore is a reproductive spore
produced by Basidiomycete fungi. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis
, and they are produced by specialized fungal cells called basidia
. In grills under a cap of one common species in the phylum of Basidiomycota
, there exist millions of basidia. Mature state of basidia has the base usually topped with four basidiospores in which contains one from the two haploid nucleus obtained from the process of meiosis
. Due to facts mentioned above, single mushroom has the ability to release a billion spores. Most basidiospores are forcibly discharged, and are thus considered ballistospores.
Basidiomycetes form sexual spores externally from a structure called a basidium. Four basidiospores develop on appendages from each basidium. These spores serve as the main air dispersal units for the fungi. The spores are released during periods of high humidity and generally have a night-time or pre-dawn peak concentration in the atmosphere.
When basidiospores encounter a favorable substrate, they may germinate, typically by forming hyphae. These hyphae grow outward from the original spore, forming an expanding circle of mycelium
. The circular shape of a fungal colony explains the formation of fairy ring
s, and also the circular lesions of skin-infecting fungi that cause ringworm. Some basidiospores germinate repetitively by forming small spores instead of hyphae.
General Structure and Shape:Basidiospores are generally characterized by an attachment peg (called a hilar appendage) on its surface. This is where the spore was attached to the basidium. The hilar appendage is quite prominent in some basidiospore, but less evident in others. An apical germ pore may also be present. Many basidiospores have an asymmetric shape due to their development on the basidium. Basidiospores are typically single-celled (without septa), and typically range from spherical to oval to to oblong, to ellipsoid or cylindrical. The surface of the spore can be fairly smooth, or it can be ornamented.
Potential opportunist and Pathogen: Depend on genus.
Industrial uses: Edible mushrooms are used in the food industry.
Potential Toxins produced: Amanitinsmonomethyl-hydrazinemuscarineibotenic acidpsilocybin
Other comments: Basidiospores are the result of sexual reproduction and formed on a structure called the basidium. Basidiospores belong to the members of the Phylum Basidiomycota, which includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts.
Spore
In biology, a spore is a reproductive structure that is adapted for dispersal and surviving for extended periods of time in unfavorable conditions. Spores form part of the life cycles of many bacteria, plants, algae, fungi and some protozoa. According to scientist Dr...
produced by Basidiomycete fungi. Basidiospores typically each contain one haploid nucleus that is the product of meiosis
Meiosis
Meiosis is a special type of cell division necessary for sexual reproduction. The cells produced by meiosis are gametes or spores. The animals' gametes are called sperm and egg cells....
, and they are produced by specialized fungal cells called basidia
Basidium
thumb|right|500px|Schematic showing a basidiomycete mushroom, gill structure, and spore-bearing basidia on the gill margins.A basidium is a microscopic, spore-producing structure found on the hymenophore of fruiting bodies of basidiomycete fungi. The presence of basidia is one of the main...
. In grills under a cap of one common species in the phylum of Basidiomycota
Basidiomycota
Basidiomycota is one of two large phyla that, together with the Ascomycota, comprise the subkingdom Dikarya within the Kingdom Fungi...
, there exist millions of basidia. Mature state of basidia has the base usually topped with four basidiospores in which contains one from the two haploid nucleus obtained from the process of meiosis
Meiosis
Meiosis is a special type of cell division necessary for sexual reproduction. The cells produced by meiosis are gametes or spores. The animals' gametes are called sperm and egg cells....
. Due to facts mentioned above, single mushroom has the ability to release a billion spores. Most basidiospores are forcibly discharged, and are thus considered ballistospores.
Basidiomycetes form sexual spores externally from a structure called a basidium. Four basidiospores develop on appendages from each basidium. These spores serve as the main air dispersal units for the fungi. The spores are released during periods of high humidity and generally have a night-time or pre-dawn peak concentration in the atmosphere.
When basidiospores encounter a favorable substrate, they may germinate, typically by forming hyphae. These hyphae grow outward from the original spore, forming an expanding circle of mycelium
Mycelium
thumb|right|Fungal myceliaMycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae. The mass of hyphae is sometimes called shiro, especially within the fairy ring fungi. Fungal colonies composed of mycelia are found in soil and on or within many other...
. The circular shape of a fungal colony explains the formation of fairy ring
Fairy ring
A fairy ring, also known as fairy circle, elf circle, elf ring or pixie ring, is a naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms. The rings may grow to over in diameter, and they become stable over time as the fungus grows and seeks food underground. They are found mainly in forested areas, but...
s, and also the circular lesions of skin-infecting fungi that cause ringworm. Some basidiospores germinate repetitively by forming small spores instead of hyphae.
General Structure and Shape:Basidiospores are generally characterized by an attachment peg (called a hilar appendage) on its surface. This is where the spore was attached to the basidium. The hilar appendage is quite prominent in some basidiospore, but less evident in others. An apical germ pore may also be present. Many basidiospores have an asymmetric shape due to their development on the basidium. Basidiospores are typically single-celled (without septa), and typically range from spherical to oval to to oblong, to ellipsoid or cylindrical. The surface of the spore can be fairly smooth, or it can be ornamented.
Potential opportunist and Pathogen: Depend on genus.
Industrial uses: Edible mushrooms are used in the food industry.
Potential Toxins produced: Amanitinsmonomethyl-hydrazinemuscarineibotenic acidpsilocybin
Other comments: Basidiospores are the result of sexual reproduction and formed on a structure called the basidium. Basidiospores belong to the members of the Phylum Basidiomycota, which includes mushrooms, shelf fungi, rusts, and smuts.