Aspergillus

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Aspergillus

Aspergillus (/ˌæspərˈdʒɪləs/) is a genus of fungi that is part of the phylum Ascomycota. The genus consists of a few hundred mold species found in various climates worldwide.

Etymology

The name 'Aspergillus' comes from the Latin word 'aspergillum', which means 'holy water sprinkler', due to the resemblance of the conidiophore of the fungi to the aspergillum used in Catholic ceremonies.

Description

Aspergillus species are highly aerobic and are found in almost all oxygen-rich environments, where they commonly grow as molds on the surface of a substrate, due to their ability to form thick layers of mycelium. They can cause a variety of diseases in humans and other animals, collectively called Aspergillosis.

Related Terms

  • Aspergillosis: A group of diseases caused by Aspergillus fungi.
  • Conidiophore: The specialized fungal hypha that produces conidia.
  • Mycelium: The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of fine white filaments (hyphae).
  • Ascomycota: The largest phylum of Fungi, with over 64,000 species.

See Also

External links

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