CHAPTER III 



Structure of Fungi 



STRUCTURALLY, fungi consist of vegetative elements and of fructifica- 

 tion, or spore, forms. With few exceptions, in which the vegetative 

 form consists solely of budding cells, the pathogenic fungi all form hyphae. 

 These vegetative, filamentous structures are irregularly segmented and 

 show some variation in form, according to the species. This is the form 

 in which fungi are chiefly present in the human bodv. The structures con- 

 nected with fructification are more specific, forming the basis for the iden- 

 tification of species. They are rarely present except in artificial cultures. 

 Only asexual forms can be demonstrated. Fungi imperfecta are considered 

 to be degenerated from other forms, which have perfect stages of develop- 

 ment, and in some instances the relationship can be surmised. The subject 

 is further considered in Part Two of this book, with the individual species 

 of fungi. 



