Fundamentals of Microbiology

1.4.1.2 Reproduction in Fungi

Fungi reproduce either sexually or asexually. Asexual reproduction may be accomplished in several ways:

1. A parent cell can divide into two daughter cells by central constriction and formation of a new cell wall

2. Somatic vegetative cells may bud to produce new organisms (eg. Yeast)

3. By the production of asexual spores

a. Arthrospores: A hypha can fragment (through splitting of the cross wall or septum) to forms cells that behave like spores.

b. Chlamydospores: The cells are surrounded by a thick wall before separation.

c. Sporangiospores: Spores that develop with a sac called sporangium at a hyphal tip.

d. Conidiospores: Spores that are not enclosed in a sac, but produced at the tips or sides of the hypha.

e. Blastospores: Spores produced from a vegetative mother cell by budding.

                               

Sexual Reproduction

Sexual reproduction involves the union of compatible nuclei. Sexually compatible gametes are produced on the same mycelium in some species. Some other species require crossing between different but sexually compatible mycelia. Therefore, sexual fusion may occur between haploid gametes or hyphae. Sexual reproduction may also yield spores (like zygospore, ascospore or basidiospore). Details of sexual reproduction are discussed under different divisions of fungi.