Morphology of Moulds/ Molds

A. Thallus
o Composed of filaments or plates of cells and ranges in size from a unicellular
structure to a complex tree like form
o Actively growing vegetative portion of a fungus

B. Hyphae
o Filamentous or the threadlike structure of a thallus
o Composed of hypha which are the long filamentous branches found in fungi
o Each hypha consists of at least 1 cell encapsulated by a protective cell wall
typically made up of CHITIN and can contain internal septa which would serve to
divide the cells
o The septa are important because they allow cellular organelles to pass between
the cells through the large pores however not all species of fungi contain septa
o The average hyphae measure approximately 4-6 microns in size

Two Types of Hypha

a. Aseptate/ Coenocytic
o Without crosswalls/ division
o Example: Zygomycetes: mucor, rhizopus
b. Septate
o With crosswalls/ division
o The rest of the fungi

Hyphae Characteristics
 Binding
o Binding hyphae have a thick cell wall and are highly branched

 Generative
 o Generative hyphae have a thin cell wall, a large number of septa and are
typically less differentiated
o Contained within other materials like gelatin and mucilage
o Developed in structures used in reproduction
o All fungal species contain generative hyphae
 Skeletal
o Skeletal hyphae contain long and thick cell wall with few septa
o Can also be of a fusiform subtype with a swollen midsection surrounded with
tapered ends

Hyphae Composition-based on the hyphal system

a. Monomitic
 While virtually all funfi species contain the generative hypha those which only
exhibit these type is referred to a monomitic
 Example: Agaric mushroom
b. Dimitic
 Species that contain generative hypha in addition to one another type of
hypha
 Most common combination: Generative and Skeletal hypha
c. Trimitic
 Contain all three types of hyphae
d. Sarcodimitic and Sarcotrimitic
 Sarcodimitic are fusiform skeletal hyphae that are bound to generative hyphae
while Sarcotrimitic are fusiform skeletal and binding and generative hyphae

C. Mycelium
o Mass of countless hyphae typically an aerial hyphae
o Generative vegetative part of a fungus like colony consisting of a mass branching
thread like hyphae
o Mass of hyphae is also known as Shiro

D. Spores
o Tiny cells that form on a special type of hyphae
o 1000 spores can fit in a pinhead
o Can move unseen in air currents
o Cells which are set aside for reproduction
o Function:
 Reproduction
 Identification
 arrangement
 size and shape
 Rhizoids
 small branching hyphae that grow downwards
 Functions
1. anchor the fungus to the substrate
2. release digestive enzymes and absorb digested organic material
 3. identification

1. Dimorphic Fungi
o assumes both yeast and mould forms
o temperature dependent
 at 220C – mould
 at 370C – yeast
o may switch between the 2 forms in response to environment conditions
o responsible for most of the fungal diseases
o examples:
 Blastomyces dermatitidis
 Coccidioides immitis
 Histoplasma capsulatum
 Sprorothix schenkii