Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Basidia are specialized reproductive structures found in Basidiomycota fungi, responsible for producing basidiospores. They typically develop on the gills of mushrooms and other basidiomycete fruiting bodies.
5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test
Basidia are club-shaped cells that produce four basidiospores each.
They undergo meiosis to form haploid spores from diploid precursor cells.
Basidia can be found in various forms like single or clustered on the gills, pores, or surface of fungi.
The presence of basidia is a key feature distinguishing Basidiomycota from other fungal groups like Ascomycota.
The development and maturation of basidia are crucial for the sexual reproduction cycle in Basidiomycota fungi.
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Related terms
Basidiospore: A spore produced by basidia during sexual reproduction in Basidiomycota.
Gills (Lamellae): Thin, often plate-like structures beneath the cap of a mushroom where basidia are located.
Basidiocarp: The fruiting body of Basidiomycota fungi where basidia are formed and spores are released.