Pycnidium
Asexual fruiting body of certain fungi
Pycnidium[edit | edit source]
A pycnidium (plural: pycnidia) is a specialized asexual fruiting body found in certain groups of fungi, particularly within the Ascomycota and Deuteromycota divisions. These structures are important in the life cycle of fungi as they facilitate the production and dissemination of conidia, which are asexual spores.
Structure[edit | edit source]
Pycnidia are typically flask-shaped or spherical structures that develop within the host tissue or on the surface of the substrate. They are composed of a compact mass of fungal tissue known as the stroma. The outer layer of the pycnidium is often darkly pigmented, providing protection to the developing spores inside.
The interior of a pycnidium contains a cavity lined with conidiogenous cells, which are specialized cells that produce conidia. These conidia are released through an opening at the top of the pycnidium, known as the ostiole. The ostiole allows the spores to be dispersed into the environment, where they can germinate and infect new hosts.
Function[edit | edit source]
The primary function of pycnidia is to produce and release conidia. This asexual reproduction method allows fungi to rapidly colonize new substrates and spread efficiently. The conidia produced in pycnidia are often adapted to withstand environmental stresses, aiding in the survival and dissemination of the fungus.
Ecological Role[edit | edit source]
Pycnidia play a significant role in the ecology of fungi, particularly those that are plant pathogens. Many fungi that form pycnidia are responsible for diseases in plants, such as leaf spots, blights, and cankers. The ability to produce large numbers of conidia enables these fungi to spread quickly and infect large areas of host plants.
Examples of Fungi with Pycnidia[edit | edit source]
Several genera of fungi are known to produce pycnidia, including:
These fungi are often studied in the context of plant pathology due to their impact on agricultural crops and natural ecosystems.
Related Pages[edit | edit source]
Search WikiMD
Ad.Tired of being Overweight? Try W8MD's physician weight loss program.
Semaglutide (Ozempic / Wegovy and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro / Zepbound) available.
Advertise on WikiMD
|
WikiMD's Wellness Encyclopedia |
| Let Food Be Thy Medicine Medicine Thy Food - Hippocrates |
Translate this page: - East Asian
中文,
日本,
한국어,
South Asian
हिन्दी,
தமிழ்,
తెలుగు,
Urdu,
ಕನ್ನಡ,
Southeast Asian
Indonesian,
Vietnamese,
Thai,
မြန်မာဘာသာ,
বাংলা
European
español,
Deutsch,
français,
Greek,
português do Brasil,
polski,
română,
русский,
Nederlands,
norsk,
svenska,
suomi,
Italian
Middle Eastern & African
عربى,
Turkish,
Persian,
Hebrew,
Afrikaans,
isiZulu,
Kiswahili,
Other
Bulgarian,
Hungarian,
Czech,
Swedish,
മലയാളം,
मराठी,
ਪੰਜਾਬੀ,
ગુજરાતી,
Portuguese,
Ukrainian
Medical Disclaimer: WikiMD is not a substitute for professional medical advice. The information on WikiMD is provided as an information resource only, may be incorrect, outdated or misleading, and is not to be used or relied on for any diagnostic or treatment purposes. Please consult your health care provider before making any healthcare decisions or for guidance about a specific medical condition. WikiMD expressly disclaims responsibility, and shall have no liability, for any damages, loss, injury, or liability whatsoever suffered as a result of your reliance on the information contained in this site. By visiting this site you agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, which may from time to time be changed or supplemented by WikiMD. If you do not agree to the foregoing terms and conditions, you should not enter or use this site. See full disclaimer.
Credits:Most images are courtesy of Wikimedia commons, and templates, categories Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY SA or similar.
Contributors: Prab R. Tumpati, MD
