conidium
- noun
- /kəˈnɪdɪəm/
- Specialized
- When observed under a microscope, you can see the conidia forming on the tips of the hyphae.
Examples
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The fungus releases conidia to reproduce and spread in its environment.
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Scientists studied the germination rates of conidia under various conditions.
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The fungus produces a single conidium for reproduction.
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Many conidia can be found on the surface of the culture.
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The conidium is essential for the reproduction of many fungi species.
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Each conidium can give rise to a new fungal colony in suitable conditions.
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Researchers studied how the conidium develops into a new spore-producing structure.
Synonyms
A small part a fungus makes on a special stalk to spread without sex
Surface Forms
Etymology
Conidium comes from the Greek konis 'dust' and the ending -idium 'small thing'. So it literally means 'tiny dust', which helps remember that a conidium is a very small spore fungi make to reproduce and spread.