What is the Difference Between Hyphae and Mycelium?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Hyphae and mycelium are both part of the fungi structure, but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics. Here are the main differences between them:
- Hyphae: These are the long, branched, and tubular projections of fungus that are involved in food absorption. Hyphae are typically about 4-6 micrometers in diameter and are composed of one or more cells surrounded by a tubular cell wall. They can be divided into cells by internal walls called septa, forming septate hyphae, or remain unseparated, forming coenocytic hyphae.
- Mycelium: This is the total mass of hyphae of a fungus, forming the thallus or vegetative part of the fungus. Mycelium can be microscopic or visible, as in the case of mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, and truffles. It is the mycelium that produces spores and is involved in the sexual reproduction of some fungi.
In summary, hyphae are the individual thread-like structures of fungi, while mycelium is the mass of hyphae that make up the vegetative part of the fungus. Both hyphae and mycelium are essential components of multicellular filamentous fungi, and they play crucial roles in the growth and reproduction of the organism.
Comparative Table: Hyphae vs Mycelium
Here is a table comparing the differences between hyphae and mycelium:
Feature | Hyphae | Mycelium |
---|---|---|
Definition | Hyphae are long, branched, and tubular projections of fungi that make up the mycelium. | Mycelium is the vegetative part of the fungus, consisting of fine, white filaments called hyphae. |
Structure | Hyphae are thread-like filaments, about 4-6 micrometers in diameter. | Mycelium is a mass of hyphae that forms the thallus or vegetative part of the fungus. |
Function | Hyphae are involved in food absorption and penetrating substrates. | Mycelium functions in the macro level, forming the body of the fungus. |
Spores | Spores are produced on the mycelium. | Mycelium produces spores. |
Growth | Hyphae grow at the tip with the help of an organelle called the spitzenkörper. | Mycelium does not have a specific area of growth, as it is the entire mass of hyphae. |
Reproduction | Dikaryotic mycelium can reproduce sexually. | Mycelium can reproduce both sexually and asexually through spores. |
Presence in Yeast | Hyphae are present in yeast. | Mycelium is not present in individual yeast cells. |
Both hyphae and mycelium are essential for the growth and reproduction of fungi. While hyphae are the building blocks of the mycelium, the mycelium forms the body of the fungus and is responsible for producing spores for reproduction.
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- Primary vs Secondary Mycelium
- Fungi vs Fungus
- Ectomycorrhizal vs Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Lichen vs Mycorrhizae
- Mushrooms vs Fungus
- Ectomycorrhizae vs Endomycorrhizae
- Myxomycota vs Oomycota
- Plants vs Fungi
- Septate vs Aseptate Hyphae
- Yeast vs Fungi
- Mastigomycotina vs Zygomycota
- Oomycetes vs Zygomycetes
- Actinomycetes vs Fungi
- Fungi vs Lichen
- Root Nodules vs Mycorrhizae
- Bacteria vs Fungi
- Fungi vs Algae