Pronunciation: [θˈali] (IPA) 
The word "thalli" is pronounced /ˈθæli/ according to its IPA phonetic transcription. This spelling reflects the pronunciation of each syllable in the word, with "th" representing the voiceless dental fricative sound /θ/ and "a" pronounced as the short vowel sound /æ/. The word "thalli" refers to the plural form of "thallus," which is a term used in botany to describe a plant body that lacks differentiation into roots, stems, or leaves.
Thalli refers to a term used primarily in biology and botany to describe an undifferentiated vegetative body structure. It is commonly found in certain organisms such as algae, fungi, and lichens. The word "thalli" is the plural form of "thalus," which refers to the singular undifferentiated structure.
In algae, thalli refer to the plant-like body structure that lacks true roots, stems, and leaves. It is a simple and flattened structure, typically without any specialized tissues. Thalli in algae are responsible for photosynthesis and reproduction.
In fungi, thalli describe the vegetative body of the fungus. It is a filamentous, branched structure that lacks differentiation into roots, stems, or leaves. The thalli in fungi are responsible for obtaining nutrients and reproducing through spore production.
In lichens, thalli represent the body structure formed through the symbiotic association between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria. The thalli in lichens exhibit a variety of forms ranging from crust-like, leafy, or bushy. They play a vital role in the absorption of water and nutrients, as well as in photosynthesis.
Overall, thalli are essential structures in various organisms, contributing to their growth, survival, and reproductive processes.
The word "thalli" is derived from the Greek word "thallos" (θαλλóς), meaning "a young shoot or branch". In botany, "thalli" refers to a collective term for the body or vegetative parts of certain lower plants, such as algae or fungi, which lack true stems, roots, or leaves. The term "thalus" or "thallos" was first used by the Swedish botanist Carolus Linnaeus in the mid-18th century to classify these types of plants. Over time, it has become commonly anglicized as "thalli" when referring to the plural form of "thalus".
