Fungi Reproduction and Spores

What is the process by which the male gamete nucleus migrates through a pore or fertilization tube into the female gametangia?

What is the result of gametangial fusion?

What is the term for the process by which minute spore-like spermatia (male gamete) and specialized receptive hyphae (female gamete) fuse in advanced fungi?

How are spermatia typically carried to receptive hyphae in advanced fungi?

What is the term for the process by which two vegetative hyphae or somatic hyphae fuse together to accomplish sexual reproduction in higher fungi?

What is the result of the fusion of two vegetative hyphae or somatic hyphae in somatogamy?

What are oidia, and how are they formed in fungi?

What is the characteristic feature of blastospores?

What are the three phases of sexual reproduction in fungi?

What is planogametic fusion, and what are its types?

What is the characteristic feature of isogamy?

What is gametangial contact, and what is its significance?

Fungal Reproduction

Fungal reproduction involves various methods, including gametangial fusion, spermatization, somatogamy, and planogametic fusion.

Gametangial Fusion

Involves fusion of entire contents of two compatible gametangia
Walls of gametangia dissolve, and contents mix, resulting in karyogamy (e.g., Mucor, Rhizopus)

Spermatization

Found in advanced fungi (e.g., Puccinia)
Sex organs are absent; sexual process involves minute spore-like spermatia (male gamete) and specialized receptive hyphae (female gamete)
Spermatia carried to receptive hyphae by air, water, or insects, and contents enter receptive hyphae through a pore

Somatogamy

Found in higher fungi (e.g., Morchella, Agaricus, Peziza)
Fusion of two vegetative hyphae or somatic hyphae takes over sexual function

Spore Formation

Oidia (arthrospores): single-celled spores formed by disjointing hyphal cells
Blastospores: formed by budding (e.g., Collybia, Coprinus)

Sexual Reproduction

Involves formation and fusion of deuteromycetes or fungi imperfecti
Found in all groups of fungi except fungi imperfecti
Sexual reproduction has three phases: plasmogamy (protoplasmic fusion), karyogamy (nuclear fusion), and meiosis (reduction division of zygote)

Planogametic Fusion

Involves fusion of two motile gametes or planogametes
Has three types:
- Isogamy: fusion of morphologically similar but physiologically different gametes (e.g., Synchytrium)
- Anisogamy: fusion of morphologically and physiologically different gametes (e.g., Allomyces)
- Oogamy: fusion of non-motile female gamete (ovum or egg) and motile male gamete (anthrozoid) in specialized gametangia (oogonium and antheridium)

This quiz covers the different types of spores in fungi, including oidia and blastospores, as well as the process of sexual reproduction in fungi, including the formation and fusion of deuteromycetes. Test your knowledge of fungal reproduction and spore formation!