Ascus
Ascus
Ascus (pronunciation: /ˈæskəs/) is a term used in mycology, the study of fungi, to describe a sac-like structure that contains spores. The word "ascus" comes from the Greek word "ἀσκός" (askos), meaning "sac" or "wineskin".
Etymology
The term "ascus" is derived from the Greek word "ἀσκός" (askos), which translates to "sac" or "wineskin". This term was chosen due to the sac-like structure of the ascus, which contains the spores of the fungus.
Definition
An ascus is a sexual spore-bearing cell produced in Ascomycete fungi. Each ascus usually contains eight ascospores, produced through meiosis followed by a mitotic division. The ascus is a key characteristic of the Ascomycota, a division of fungi, and gives the group its name.
Related Terms
- Ascomycete: A member of the Ascomycota, a division of fungi characterized by the presence of asci and ascospores.
- Ascospore: A spore contained within an ascus. Ascospores are produced sexually and are typically released by the rupture of the ascus.
- Meiosis: A type of cell division that results in four daughter cells each with half the number of chromosomes of the parent cell. In the context of the ascus, meiosis is followed by a mitotic division to produce the eight ascospores.
- Mitosis: A type of cell division that results in two daughter cells each having the same number and kind of chromosomes as the parent nucleus. In the context of the ascus, mitosis follows meiosis to produce the eight ascospores.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Ascus
- Wikipedia's article - Ascus
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