How Do You Spell BASIDIA?

Pronunciation: [be͡ɪsˈɪdi͡ə] (IPA)

"Basidia" is a plural noun in biology that refers to small, club-shaped structures that produce and hold spores in fungi. The IPA phonetic transcription for "basidia" is /bəˈsɪdiə/ which shows that the word is pronounced with the primary stress on the "-di-" syllable (indicated by the raised "ˈ" symbol), and the schwa sound "ə" in the first and last syllable. The "a" in "basidia" is pronounced as the short "i" sound, indicated by the symbol "ɪ".

BASIDIA Meaning and Definition

  1. Basidia, in the field of mycology, refer to specialized structures or cells that produce and carry spores in certain groups of fungi. These fungal structures are primarily found in the division Basidiomycota, which includes well-known fungi such as mushrooms, toadstools, and bracket fungi.

    Basidia are typically elongated or club-shaped cells that are formed on the surface of specialized fruiting bodies called basidiocarps. These fruiting bodies are the visible reproductive structures of a fungus and are usually aboveground, although some species may develop them underground or on decaying wood. The basidia are usually arranged in groups known as basidiomata or hymenium, depending on the specific fungus.

    Each basidium possesses delicate projections called sterigmata, where the spores are formed and subsequently released. These spores are crucial for the reproduction and dispersal of the fungus. Basidia are often found in a layer called the hymenium, which is typically located on the underside of the cap in mushrooms, or on the exposed surface of a bracket fungus.

    The structure and characteristics of basidia can vary between different species of fungi within the Basidiomycota division. More specifically, their shape, size, arrangement, and the number of sterigmata can differ, providing taxonomical clues to identify and classify different species. Overall, basidia serve as essential structures for the production and dispersal of spores, contributing to the life cycle and ecological role of various fungi in the environment.

Common Misspellings for BASIDIA

Etymology of BASIDIA

The word "basidia" derives from the Latin term "basis", meaning "base" or "pedestal". In mycology, the study of fungi, basidia refers to the club-shaped structures that bear the spores. The term was coined in the mid-19th century by the German botanist Anton de Bary, who used the Latin word to describe these specialized structures found in the reproductive organs of certain fungi.