ascus

See also: Ascus

English

asci containing fungal spores.

Etymology

From New Latin ascus, from Ancient Greek ἀσκός (askós, “a sac”). Doublet of askos.

Noun

ascus (plural asci)

1. (mycology) A sac-shaped cell present in ascomycete fungi; it is a reproductive cell in which meiosis and an additional cell division produce eight spores.
   • 1967, Constantine. J. Alexopoulos, Harold C. Bold, Algae and Fungi, page 101:

     The one important character which distinguishes the Ascomycetes from all other fungi is the ascus (plural, asci). This is a sac-like structure in which ascospores are formed following karyogamy and meiosis.

Derived terms

• ascigerous
• ascocarp
• ascococcus
• ascolocular
• ascomycete
• ascospore
• exoascus

 

Related terms

• ascon, asconoid
• askos

Translations

a sac-shaped cell present in ascomycete fungi

• Finnish: itiökotelo (fi)
• French: asque (fr)
• German: Ascus (de) m
• Irish: ascas m
• Latin: ascus
• Portuguese: asco (pt) m
• Romanian: ască (ro) f

Further reading

• ascus on Wikipedia.Wikipedia
• Ascomycota on Wikipedia.Wikipedia