Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
Basidiospores are reproductive spores produced by Basidiomycete fungi. They are typically formed on specialized cells called basidia during the sexual reproduction phase.
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Basidiospores are typically four per basidium.
They are dispersed through various mechanisms, including wind and water.
Basidiospores play a crucial role in the life cycle of mushrooms and other Basidiomycete fungi.
They usually germinate to form haploid mycelium, which can later undergo plasmogamy to begin the sexual cycle anew.
Basidiospores have diverse shapes and sizes depending on the species of fungi.
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Related terms
Basidium: A specialized fungal cell where karyogamy and meiosis occur, producing basidiospores.
Haploid Mycelium: The thread-like structure that forms from a germinating spore and consists of cells with a single set of chromosomes.
Plasmogamy: The fusion of cytoplasm from two different fungal cells, leading to the formation of dikaryotic cells.