BASIDIUM Meaning and
Definition
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A basidium is a microscopic reproductive structure found in various fungi belonging to the phylum Basidiomycota. It is primarily responsible for the production and dispersal of sexual spores known as basidiospores. The term derives from the Greek word "basis" meaning pedestal or stalk, which refers to the characteristic shape of this structure.
Typically, a basidium is composed of a slender, elongated stalk known as the sterigma, which bears the basidiospores at its tip. The basidiospores are produced within the basidium through a specialized process called meiosis, resulting in the formation of four spores. Once mature, the basidiospores are eventually released into the environment to disperse and potentially germinate, giving rise to new fungal colonies.
The basidium plays a vital role in the life cycle and reproduction of basidiomycete fungi, a diverse group that includes well-known organisms such as mushrooms, toadstools, and bracket fungi. These fungi are typically saprophytic, meaning they obtain nutrients by breaking down decaying organic matter. Some basidiomycetes are also parasitic, feeding on living organisms.
Due to their diverse forms and ecology, basidia have been of great interest to mycologists for centuries, providing valuable information for the identification and classification of fungi. Understanding the structure and function of a basidium is essential in the study of the complex and fascinating world of basidiomycete fungi.
Common Misspellings for BASIDIUM
- vasidium
- nasidium
- hasidium
- gasidium
- bzsidium
- bssidium
- bwsidium
- bqsidium
- baaidium
- bazidium
- baxidium
- badidium
- baeidium
- bawidium
- basudium
- basjdium
- baskdium
- basodium
- bas9dium
Etymology of BASIDIUM
The word "basidium" is derived from the Greek word "basidion" (βασίδιον), which means "small pedestal" or "little base". This term was coined by the German botanist Heinrich Anton de Bary in 1853 to describe the club-shaped structure that is characteristic of the reproductive organs in basidiomycete fungi. The word "basidium" also reflects the shape of the structure, which resembles a small pedestal or foot.
Similar spelling word for BASIDIUM
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