Thallus

Thallus is a term used in biology to describe the body of an organism that is not differentiated into stems, leaves, and roots. It is commonly associated with fungi, lichens, algae, and liverworts.

Overview

The term 'thallus' is derived from the Greek word 'thallos', which means 'a green shoot or twig'. It was first used in the 19th century to describe the body of non-vascular plants, which lack the specialized tissues and organs of vascular plants.

Thalli (plural of thallus) can be unicellular or multicellular. They can also be filamentous, where the cells are arranged in rows, or parenchymatous, where the cells form a tissue.

Types of Thalli

There are several types of thalli, including:

• Unicellular thallus: This type of thallus is composed of a single cell. It is common in some algae and fungi.

• Filamentous thallus: This type of thallus is composed of long, thin cells arranged in chains. It is common in some algae and fungi.

• Parenchymatous thallus: This type of thallus is composed of cells that form a tissue. It is common in some algae and fungi.

• Pseudoparenchymatous thallus: This type of thallus is similar to a parenchymatous thallus, but the cells are not truly parenchymatous. It is common in some fungi.

Thallus in Different Organisms

The structure and function of a thallus can vary greatly depending on the organism. For example:

• In algae, the thallus is often the main body of the organism, responsible for photosynthesis and reproduction.

• In fungi, the thallus is typically the vegetative part of the organism, responsible for nutrient absorption.

• In lichens, the thallus is a symbiotic structure composed of a fungal partner and a photosynthetic partner.

See Also

• Mycelium
• Hypha
• Stipe
• Cap

References

Thallus Resources
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