Fungi - Sexual Reproduction

Description:

Fungi can reproduce through sexual means. Some of the characteristics of sexually reproducing fungi are −

• Fungi may be dioecious or unisexual. These dioecious fungi are heterothallic.
• Fungi may be monoecious or bisexual. These bisexual fungi are homothallic.
• Gametes are formed within gametangium.

Types of sexual reproduction in fungi −

• Isogamy − Fusing gametes are exactly alike in appearance and functions.

• Anisogamy − Fusion of dissimilar gametes. In anisogamous forms both male and female gametes are motile.

• Oogamy − Fusion of small male gamete with female gamete which is large and non-motile.

Characteristics of fungal sexual reproduction

• If sexual reproduction occurs between two gametangia, such a fusion is called conjugation.

• When gamentangia can be differentiated then male sex organs are called antheridium and female organs are called oogonium.

• Sexually fusion of gametes result in the formation of diploid oospores or zygospores.