Hymenium

Hymenium is the spore-bearing tissue layer of a fungus. It is the most critical layer of the mushroom, where the cells develop into basidia or asci, which produce spores. In many fungi, the hymenium lines the surface of the gills.

Structure and Function

The hymenium is a layer of cells on the surface of the gill or similar spore-producing structure, and is made up of basidia or asci, which are the spore-producing cells. The structure of the hymenium is crucial in the classification of fungi. The hymenium is often embedded in the flesh of the mushroom and can be difficult to see without a microscope.

The hymenium's primary function is to produce spores. In this, it is incredibly efficient. For example, a single mushroom may produce as many as a billion spores.

Development

The development of the hymenium begins when the hyphae of the fungus meet and fuse. This fusion leads to the formation of a structure called the dikaryon. This structure then develops into the hymenium. The cells of the hymenium, the basidia or asci, are unique in that they have two nuclei. This is a result of the fusion of the hyphae.

Types of Hymenium

There are two main types of hymenium, classified by the type of spore-producing cells they contain. These are:

• Basidiomycetes: These fungi have a hymenium that contains basidia. Examples include mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket fungi.
• Ascomycetes: These fungi have a hymenium that contains asci. Examples include yeasts, molds, and morels.

See Also

• Mycology
• Fungus
• Spore
• Mushroom

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