Stipe Elongation in Fruit Bodies

Abstract

Many fungi form hyphae, tubular structures with relatively uniform diameters, while some fungi show yeast growth or yeast/mycelial dimorphism (see Chap. 8). It has long been suggested that the vegetative hypha grows at the tip (Reinhardt 1892) In more recent years, tip growth was unequivocally proven in the vegetative hyphae of various fungal species by studies using radioactive precursors of wall components, which were quickly incorporated into hyphal apices (Bartnicki-Garcia and Lippman 1969; Galun 1972; Gooday 1971; Katz and Rosenberger 1970, 1971; see Chap. 7). Hyphal growth with branching results in a mycelial colony. In many fungal species, mycelial growth is followed by the formation of asexual and/or sexual spores under appropriate environmental conditions. Fruit bodies are formed for the efficient production, release, and dispersal of sexual spores.