Terminology Flashcards
What is a hypha (hyphae for plural)?
Fundamental tube-like structural units of fungi
What’s the difference between septate and aseptate hyphae?
Septate: divided by crosswalls (aka contains septum)
Aseptate: Lacks crosswall separation
Define mycelium and the two different types
Mycelium: mass/matt of hyphae forming vegetative part of fungus. There are two types:
- Aerial: grows in the air portion above media
- Vegetative: in the media, absorbs nutrients
Define ascospore
It’s a spore that is specifically formed inside a sac called an ascus. Usually, there are 8 spores per ascus. Note this is a sexually reproductive spore. This spore is specific to Ascomycetes
Define zygospore
A type of sexual spore that is specific to Zygomycetes due to its shape. It’s formed by the fusion of 2 compatible hyphal arms that each have a nucleus, forming the shape of an H
Define basidiospore
A type of sexual spore that is specific to Basidiomycetes, due to its shape. It’s shaped like a club with spores on top
Define conidia
These are asexual fungal spores borne from a conidiophore. Other ways you will see conidia referred to are macroconidia (multicellular) and microconidia (unicellular)
Found in Ascomycetes and Deuteromycetes
Define arthroconidia
This is a spore that is formed from fragmented hyphae. Their shapes can take on various forms such as: square, rectangular, or barrel-shaped with thicckkqq walls
Define blastoconidia
Also known as blastospore.
This is an asexual spore formed from a budding process along the mycelium or from another blastospore.
Found in Ascomycetes
Define chlamydoconidia
These are round thick-walled spores and may be found within the hyphae (intercalary) or on the ends of hyphae (terminal)
Define sporangiospore
This is an asexual spore that is contained in a sporangium at the end of a sporangiophore. Found in Phycomycetes.
Define annelide
This is a tube- or vase-shaped conidiogenous cell (this means that it gives rise to conidia)
Define annelloconidium
This is a conidium that arose from an annelide. Remember that annelide refers to a cell that produces conidia
Define asexual reproduction
Spores are formed directly from vegetative mycelium or specialized hyphae
Define chromoblastomycosis
This is a subcutaneous mycosis that is often caused by the traumatic inoculation of dematiaceous (pigmented) fungus into the skin.
Etiologic agents include: Cladosporium, Exophiala, and Phialophora
Define conidiophore
A specialized branch of hyphae on which conidia (spores) are developed. Picture spores connected to hyphae
Define dimorphic
Ability of some fungi to grow as a yeast OR mold (filamentous) stage. This depends on the growth conditions
Define dematiaceous
Pigmented, dark in color, usually gray or black
Define dermatophyte
This is a fungus that causes superficial mycoses (skin, hair, and nails)
What is Fungi imperfecti?
This is a large class of fungi with the synonym Deuteromycete and have septate hyhae. We know their asexual state of reproduction but not their sexual state. These include the majority of medically significant fungi
What is a germ tube?
This is a small projection from certain yeasts (such as C. albicans). Indicates onset of hyphal formation
Define hyaline
Colorless, clear
What is a mold?
Filamentous form of a fungus
What is a yeast?
Pasty or mucoid form of fungus growth, microscopically shows a predominance of budding cells
What is a perfect fungus?
I swear, there is a term called “Perfect fungi” in the Mycology definitions sheet that Darrell uploaded to Canvas
A fungus that has both sexual and asexual reproductive stages
Define Phaeohyphomycosis
Superficial or subcutaneous infections causing nodules in the skin. Etiological agents include Alternaria spp., Bipolaris spp., Curvularia spp., Phialophora spp.
Define phialide
A single, slender, tubular conidiophore
Define phialoconidium
Conidium that arose from phialide
Define pseudohyphae
These are not true hyphae. They’re a chain of elongated budding cells that have failed to detach
Define ringworm
Circular or ring-like skin lesions caused by dermatophytes
What are rhizoids?
Root-like structures that anchor the fungus to tissue
Define saprophytic
An organism that feeds on dead or decaying matter
What is a sporangiophore?
A special aerial hypha or stalk bearing a sporangium
What is sporangium?
A sac or cell containing spores produced asexually
What is a spore?
Generally the reproductive body of a fungus
Define Sporotrichosis
Mycosis that is the result of inoculation with Sporothrix schenckii, lymphocutaneous type is most common. Also known as Rose Gardener’s Disease
Define Tinea
Prefix used with the infected area of the body to indicate a cutaneous mycosis
