Spore
spore (noun, pl. spores) – a general term for any microscopically small reproductive unit, whether somatic (vegetative) or generative, single-celled or multicellular; (1) more commonly referred to as propagule or diaspore if functioning for dispersal, especially if of somatic (vegetative) origin; (2) in the context of fungi: called a conidium if produced vegetatively, e. g. at the tip of hyphae outside an ascus. (3) in the context of fungi, ascomycetes: more accurately called an ascospore if of generative origin and produced by free-cell formation within an ascus; (4) in the context of fungi, basidiomycetes: more accurately called a basidiospore if of generative origin and produced on a basidium. See also thepart-of categorization:part of spore.
Related terms: ascospore, basidiospore, conidium.
This page is part of the LIAS Glossary. It is closely interlinked with the other LIAS projects: LIAS • LIAS light • LIAS names • LIAS gtm. See also Cooperating Websites
Many pages in the LIAS Glossary is in need of further revisions. Please contribute. Criticism as well as collaboration is welcome!
