PHYCOMYCETES Meaning and
Definition
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Phycomycetes, also known as Zygomycetes, is a group of fungi that belongs to the division Zygomycota. They are characterized by their unique mode of reproduction, forming sexual zygospores as well as asexual sporangia. This diverse group includes both terrestrial and aquatic species, with a wide distribution across various habitats.
Phycomycetes fungi typically have a filamentous structure, consisting of hyphae that are either coenocytic (lacking cross-walls) or possess occasional septa. These hyphae may grow as a loose network or form more complex structures such as rhizoids, stolons, or sporangiophores. Their mode of nutrition is primarily saprophytic, feeding on dead organic matter, but they can also be opportunistically parasitic.
The sexual reproduction in Phycomycetes involves the fusion of two compatible hyphae resulting in the formation of a thick-walled zygospore. This zygospore serves as a resting spore that can withstand harsh environmental conditions until favorable conditions for growth return. Asexual reproduction, on the other hand, occurs through the production of sporangia, which are specialized structures that contain spores. These spores are dispersed by various means, such as wind or water, and germinate into new hyphae under suitable conditions.
Phycomycetes play important roles in ecosystems as decomposers, breaking down dead organic matter and recycling nutrients. Some species are also used in various industrial processes, such as the production of certain enzymes and organic acids. However, some Phycomycetes can cause diseases in plants and animals, including humans, making them significant pathogens in certain contexts.
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The lower Hyphomycetes, or moulds.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for PHYCOMYCETES
- ohycomycetes
- lhycomycetes
- -hycomycetes
- 0hycomycetes
- pgycomycetes
- pbycomycetes
- pnycomycetes
- pjycomycetes
- puycomycetes
- pyycomycetes
- phtcomycetes
- phgcomycetes
- phhcomycetes
- phucomycetes
- ph7comycetes
- ph6comycetes
- phyxomycetes
- phyvomycetes
- phyfomycetes
Etymology of PHYCOMYCETES
The word "phycomycetes" is derived from Greek roots.
The first part, "phyco", comes from the Greek word "phykos", which means seaweed. This is in reference to the fact that Phycomycetes were initially described as organisms that resemble seaweeds due to their filamentous structures.
The second part, "mycetes", is derived from the Greek word "mykes", which means fungus. It is a common suffix used to denote fungi in scientific nomenclature.
Therefore, "phycomycetes" can be translated as "seaweed fungi" or "fungi resembling seaweeds". It is a term used to refer to a class of fungi characterized by their filamentous structures and reproductive structures called sporangia, which resemble the structures found in some algae.
Similar spelling word for PHYCOMYCETES
