BASIDIOMYCETE Meaning and
Definition
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A basidiomycete is a type of fungus belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota, which is one of the largest phyla in the fungal kingdom. Basidiomycetes are characterized by their reproductive structures called basidia, which are club-shaped cells that produce and house the spores. These spores are typically produced externally on specialized basidiocarps, commonly known as mushrooms, toadstools, or brackets.
Basidiomycetes can exhibit a wide range of morphologies, and they can be found in various habitats, including soil, decaying organic matter, and living plants. They play crucial ecological roles as decomposers, breaking down organic material and recycling nutrients back into the environment. Some basidiomycetes are also mycorrhizal, forming symbiotic relationships with plant roots to aid in nutrient uptake.
The life cycle of a basidiomycete typically involves the fusion of two hyphae of compatible mating types, followed by the formation of a dikaryotic mycelium. This specialized form of mycelium contains two genetically distinct nuclei, one from each parent, without fusing them into a diploid cell. Eventually, under specific environmental conditions, the dikaryotic mycelium will produce basidia, which undergo meiosis to produce haploid spores.
Basidiomycetes exhibit great diversity in terms of their ecological and economic significance. They encompass numerous edible, poisonous, and medicinal mushrooms, as well as plant pathogens responsible for causing diseases in both cultivated and wild plants. Additionally, basidiomycetes have been used in various industries, including food, pharmaceuticals, and bioremediation.
Common Misspellings for BASIDIOMYCETE
- vasidiomycete
- nasidiomycete
- hasidiomycete
- gasidiomycete
- bzsidiomycete
- bssidiomycete
- bwsidiomycete
- bqsidiomycete
- baaidiomycete
- bazidiomycete
- baxidiomycete
- badidiomycete
- baeidiomycete
- bawidiomycete
- basudiomycete
- basjdiomycete
- baskdiomycete
- basodiomycete
- bas9diomycete
Etymology of BASIDIOMYCETE
The word "basidiomycete" is derived from the combination of two Greek words: "basidion", meaning "little pedestal", and "mykēs", meaning "fungus". The term was coined by the German botanist Heinrich Anton de Bary in 1858 to describe a group of fungi characterized by the production of specialized reproductive structures called basidia. These basidia, resembling little pedestals, are responsible for the formation and dispersal of sexual spores in basidiomycetes, making them distinguishable from other groups of fungi.
Similar spelling words for BASIDIOMYCETE
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