Reproduction in Fungi: Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that include microorganisms such as yeasts, moulds and mushrooms. These organisms are classified under kingdom fungi. 

Sexual Reproduction in Fungi

In fungi, sexual reproduction frequently takes place under unfavourable environmental conditions. Based on the mating types, they are classified into two types:

• Homothallic – When both mating types are present in the same mycelium. It is also called self-fertile.
• Heterothallic – When both mating types are present in two different mycelium.

There are two types of Reproduction in Fungi:

• Asexual reproduction:
  • Fission of somatic cell: Unicellular fungi like yeasts reproduce vegetatively by fission. The parent cell undergoes cell division to form two daughter cells.
  • Budding of somatic cell: A small outgrowth or bud develops from the parent body and develops into a new organism, as is seen in yeast.
  • Fragmentation or disjoining of hyphae: The mycellia breaks into fragments, each of which grow into separate mycellia.
  • Asexual spore formation: Asexual reproduction takes place by the formation of different types of spores. These spores are formed by mitotic division and are called mitspores. Asxual spores are usually haploid in nature and germinate into new haploid organisms.
• Sexual reproduction:
  • It is carried out by diffusion of compatable nuclei from two parent at a definite state in the life cycle of fungi.
  • The process of sexual reproduction involves three phases:
    • Plasmogamy: fusion of protoplasm
    • Karyogamy: fusion of nucleus
    • Meiosis: reductional nuclear division
  • Various methods by which compatible nuclei are brought together in plasmogamy. Some are:
    • Gametic copulation
    • Gamete-gametangial copulation
    • Gametangial copulation
    • Somatic copulation
    • Spermatization

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By Team Learning Mantras