Algae: Cell Structure

There are two basic types of cells in the algae, prokaryotic and eukaryotic. Prokaryotic cells lack membrane-bounded organelles (plastids, mitochondria, nuclei, Golgi bodies, and flagella) and occur in the …

Phycology

Phycology or algology is the study of the algae. The word phycology is derived from the Greek word phykos, which means “seaweed.” The term algology, described in Webster’s dictionary …

Bacterial conjugation

Conjugation, the transfer of DNA by direct cell-to-cell contact, depends on the presence of a conjugative plasmid.  Plasmids are small, double-stranded DNA molecules that can exist independently of host …

Saccharomyces

About 10-16 species of Saccharomyces are currently recognized.  We will focus on S. cerevisiae, which in many ways is the most important fungus yet discovered. About 25 strains of S. …

Conidia of ascomycetes

Conidia: The asexual spores or conidia of ascomycetes are remarkably diverse in form, structure and modes of dispersal, but their development or conidiogenesis occurs in a limited number of …

Ascomycota: Life Cycles

Sexual life cycles: Sexual life cycles in the strict sense, i.e. involving nuclear fusion and meiosis, occur only in those ascomycetes which possess asci, because it is within the …

Phytophthora

The name Phytophthora (Gr.: ‘plant destroyer’) is apt, most species being highly destructive plant pathogens. The best known is P. infestans, cause of late blight of potatoes. This fungus …