Basidium

Definition

A basidium is a microscopic, club-shaped spore-bearing structure found in Basidiomycete fungi. It typically produces four spores called basidiospores.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Basidia are the defining characteristic of Basidiomycota, one of the major divisions of fungi.
2. Each basidium usually bears four external spores known as basidiospores.
3. Basidia are typically found on the gills or pores of mushrooms and other fruiting bodies.
4. The formation of basidia is a critical part of sexual reproduction in Basidiomycetes.
5. Basidia develop from specialized cells called probasidia during the fungal reproductive cycle.

Review Questions

Related terms

Basidiospore: A spore produced by a basidium, usually resulting from sexual reproduction.

Basidiocarp: The fruiting body of Basidiomycete fungi that contains the basidia.

Probasidium: A cell that develops into a mature basidium during fungal reproduction.