cleistothecium
- noun
- /ˌklaɪstəˈθiːəm/
- Specialized
- The spores are released from the cleistothecium only after its walls break down.
Examples
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Under the microscope, the cleistothecium appears as a small, spherical structure.
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The cleistothecium contains spores that are released upon decay.
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The formation of a cleistothecium is characteristic of many fungi within the Erysiphaceae family.
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Researchers found a cleistothecium in the sample.
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The spores are released from the cleistothecium only after its walls break down.
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Under the microscope, the cleistothecium appears as a small, spherical structure.
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The formation of a cleistothecium is characteristic of many fungi within the Erysiphaceae family.
Synonyms
A closed structure on a fungus that holds spores until it breaks down
A small part in fungi or some plants that makes and holds spores
A small baglike part on ferns and fungi that holds tiny cells that grow into new plants
A small bag on a plant or fungus that holds tiny parts for making new plants
Surface Forms
Morphology
cleistothecium = cleisto + thecium
A specialised scientific term formed from Greek combining forms ('cleisto-' 'thecium') that are not familiar or productive for average learners, so the meaning cannot be derived from the parts.
Etymology
The word cleistothecium comes from Greek roots cleisto- meaning 'closed' and -thecium meaning 'box' or 'case', and you can remember this by thinking of the English word close. So a cleistothecium is a 'closed case' that holds spores until it breaks down and the spores are released.