pycnium
- noun
- /ˈpɪkniəm/
- Specialized
:
picnio
- The formation of a pycnium is an important stage in the life cycle of rust fungi.
Examples
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Each pycnium contains specialized cells that play a role in fungal reproduction.
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The researcher identified a pycnium on the infected plant tissue under the microscope.
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The pycnium is crucial for the reproduction of certain fungi.
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Did you observe the pycnium under the microscope?
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The researcher identified a pycnium on the infected plant tissue under the microscope.
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Each pycnium contains specialized cells that play a role in fungal reproduction.
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The formation of a pycnium is an important stage in the life cycle of rust fungi.
Synonyms
1
6.5
A part of some fungi and plants that makes and releases spores
A small bottle-shaped body in some fungi that holds tiny asexual spores
A structure in some algae and fungi that makes and holds an egg cell before fertilization
Surface Forms
Morphology
pycnium = pycn + ium
The word is built from the combining form 'pycn-' plus the noun-forming suffix '-ium', but the combining form is not a familiar standalone English word, so learners cannot reliably infer the meaning from known vocabulary.
Etymology
Pycnium comes from the Greek root pykn- meaning 'dense' or 'thick'. A helpful way to remember it is to imagine a small, packed flask full of reproductive cells, which is why pycnium names the compact, flask-shaped part of some fungi where these cells are made.