Fungus

Fungal spore: 1. It is obviously multicellular, 2. has a connected hypha, and c. is melanised. Differential interference contrast.

Fungal spore / hyphae The most evident structure for most fungi is the spore bearing element - the mushrooms of terrestrial fungi. However, the defining character of fungi are the hyphae . Hyphae are cylindrical, branching tubes in which the cytoplasm of the fungus lives. The walls are organic, in true fungi they are mostly chitinous. Food is absorbed through the walls. A spore (two are shown here) settles, the hyphae begin to grow, branching and growing outwards. the cytoplasm tends to migrate to the growing tips of the fungi - and interconnected hyphae may extend over many metres - indeed leading some to suggest that fungi are the largest organisms on earth. Phase contrast.

Fungi in copepod. This image shows a copepod that has been penetrated by fungi which have grown within the body. Fungi are osmotrophs and rely on dissolved organic materials for energy and nutrients. A damaged copepod offers such a source of food, but of course the difficulty is in finding such a copepod. Phase contrast.

Spore of an aquatic hyphomycete This branched form of the spore is common in this group. Phase contrast.

Fungal hyphae are the tubular structures in which fungal cytoplasm is often located. These structures grow, extending at their tips, with cytoplasm moving forwards to the growing tips. The hyphae usually have cross walls - the space between cross walls sometimes being called cells . However, the cross-walls usually have pores and cytoplasm including nuclei can pass through the pores. The two hyphae to the top are empty of cytoplasm and the cross-walls are very evident. the hypha below still has cytoplasm in it. Phase contrast.

Fungal hyphae are the tubular structures in which fungal cytoplasm is often located. These structures grow, extending at their tips, with cytoplasm moving forwards to the growing tips. The hyphae usually have cross walls - the space between cross walls sometimes being called cells . However, the cross-walls usually have pores and cytoplasm including nuclei can pass through the pores. Nuclei are the expanded regions of cytoplasm adjacent to the walls. Phase contrast.

Fungal hyphae are the tubular structures in which fungal cytoplasm is often located. These structures grow, extending at their tips, with cytoplasm moving forwards to the growing tips. The hyphae usually have cross walls - the space between cross walls sometimes being called cells . However, the cross-walls usually have pores and cytoplasm including nuclei can pass through the pores. Phase contrast.

Infecting and associated with large filamentous blue green algae. Hyphae penetrate through the bacterial cells, destroying them. The hyphae are occasionally swollen and seem to give rise to packets of flagellated cells. These become active within an invisible enclosure, but as they become more active they break out and swim away. Several packets visible here alongside an algal filament.

Infecting and associated with large filamentous blue green algae. Hyphae penetrate through the bacterial cells, destroying them. The hyphae are occasionally swollen and seem to give rise to packets of flagellated cells. These become active within an invisible enclosure, but as they become more active they break out and swim away. One packet visible here.

Infecting and associated with large filamentous blue green algae. Hyphae penetrate through the bacterial cells, destroying them. The hyphae are occasionally swollen and seem to give rise to packets of flagellated cells. These become active within an invisible enclosure, but as they become more active they break out and swim away. Hyphae visible here.

Infecting and associated with large filamentous blue green algae. Hyphae penetrate through the bacterial cells, destroying them. The hyphae are occasionally swollen and seem to give rise to packets of flagellated cells. These become active within an invisible enclosure, but as they become more active they break out and swim away. Hyphae visible here.