Dikaryon

Definition

A dikaryon is a fungal cell or mycelium containing two genetically distinct but unfused nuclei. This stage occurs after plasmogamy and before karyogamy in the fungal life cycle.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Dikaryotic cells are characteristic of many fungi, including basidiomycetes and ascomycetes.
2. The dikaryotic stage can persist for an extended period, sometimes even years, in some fungi.
3. During the dikaryotic phase, the two nuclei divide synchronously without fusing, maintaining their genetic distinctiveness.
4. Dikaryons play a crucial role in sexual reproduction by eventually leading to the formation of spores through meiosis after karyogamy.
5. The transition from monokaryotic to dikaryotic stages is often marked by specialized structures such as clamp connections in basidiomycetes.

Review Questions

Related terms

Plasmogamy: The fusion of cytoplasm from two parent mycelia without the fusion of nuclei.

Karyogamy: The fusion of two haploid nuclei to form a diploid nucleus.

Basidiomycetes:

A class of fungi characterized by producing spores on basidia.