n 



STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONS 2.5 



(c) The formation of sporangia, within which are 

 formed great nurnbers of spores by internal cell 

 division (Fig. 16, Bread Mould). 



(d) The formation of special bodies known as 

 pycnidia. These are more or less complicated structures 

 which are globular or sac-shaped, and form the walls 

 from which numerous conidia are produced (Fig. 17, 

 Leaf Spot Fungi). 



(e) The formation of special bodies known as 



FIG. 15. Conidiophores 

 of Penicillium. 



FIG. 16. Sporangium 

 of Rhizopus nigricans. 



FIG. 17. A pycnidium. 



perithecia. These are flask -shaped cavities usually 

 within the stroma of the fungus with openings to the 

 outside. Within these cavities are the asci or sac- 

 shaped structures containing the spores. Although the 

 perithecium is formed from vegetative or non-sexual 

 filaments, the asci are formed as the result of sexual 

 activities. 



The spore -bearing hyphae are known as coni- 

 diophores. The character of the spores and the 

 manner in which they are borne are among the points 

 which enable the botanist to separate the fungi into 

 groups. 



The non-sexual spores are usually produced in great 

 numbers during the most active season of the fungus 

 growth, and serve to distribute the organisms over wide 



