Fungi Reproduction
Douglas Wilkin, Ph.D.
Jean Brainard, Ph.D.
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Printed: November 19, 2014
AUTHORS
Douglas Wilkin, Ph.D.
Jean Brainard, Ph.D.
www.ck12.org
C HAPTER
Chapter 1. Fungi Reproduction
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Fungi Reproduction
• Explain fungi reproduction.
• Describe a fungal spore.
• Distinguish between a spore and a zygospore.
How do fungi reproduce? Sexually or asexually?
How about both? That would suggest that fungi can produce both diploid and haploid cells, which they can. Shown
above are fungi mycelia and haploid spores. Spores allow fungi to reproduce through unfavorable conditions.
Reproduction of Fungi
The majority of fungi can reproduce both asexually and sexually. This allows them to adjust to conditions in the
environment. They can spread quickly through asexual reproduction when conditions are stable. They can increase
their genetic variation through sexual reproduction when conditions are changing and variation may help them
survive.
Asexual Reproduction
Almost all fungi reproduce asexually by producing spores. A fungal spore is a haploid cell produced by mitosis
from a haploid parent cell. It is genetically identical to the parent cell. Fungal spores can develop into new haploid
individuals without being fertilized.
Spores may be dispersed by moving water, wind, or other organisms. Some fungi even have “cannons” that “shoot”
the spores far from the parent organism. This helps to ensure that the offspring will not have to compete with the
parent for space or other resources. You are probably familiar with puffballs, like the one in Figure 1.1. They release
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FIGURE 1.1
Puffballs release spores when disturbed.
a cloud of spores when knocked or stepped on. Wherever the spores happen to land, they do not germinate until
conditions are favorable for growth. Then they develop into new hyphae.
Yeasts do not produce spores. Instead, they reproduce asexually by budding. Budding is the pinching off of an
offspring from the parent cell. The offspring cell is genetically identical to the parent. Budding in yeast is pictured
in Figure 1.2.
FIGURE 1.2
Yeast reproduce asexually by budding.
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Chapter 1. Fungi Reproduction
Sexual Reproduction
Sexual reproduction also occurs in virtually all fungi. This involves mating between two haploid hyphae. During
mating, two haploid parent cells fuse, forming a diploid spore called a zygospore. The zygospore is genetically
different from the parents. After the zygospore germinates, it can undergo meiosis, forming haploid cells that
develop into new hyphae.
Summary
• The majority of fungi can reproduce both asexually and sexually. This allows them to adjust to conditions in
the environment.
• Yeast reproduce asexually by budding. Other fungi reproduce asexually by producing spores.
• Sexual reproduction occurs when spores from two parents fuse and form a zygospore.
Explore More
Use this resource to answer the questions that follow.
• Reproduction at https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-biology-textbook/fungi-24/characte
ristics-of-fungi-149/reproduction-591-11810/ .
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
How do fungi reproduce asexually?
Describe budding.
How are asexual spores similar to the parent?
What is the advantage of sexual reproduction?
Describe plasmogamy.
What happens during and immediately after karyogamy?
Review
1. Explain the advantages of fungal spores.
2. Identify ways that fungal spores may be dispersed.
3. Compare and contrast a fungal spore and zygospore.
References
1. Image copyright siloto, 2014. Puffballs release spores when disturbed.. Used under license from Shutterstock.com
2. Courtesy of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases/National Institutes of Health. Yeast reproduce asexually by budding. Public Domain
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