The main difference between paraphyses and basidium is that paraphyses is a tiny joined filaments growing among archegonia and antheridia of mosses, whereas basidium is a small club-shaped structure bearing spores that occur in Basidiomycota, a division of fungi.
Paraphyses and basidium are two types of reproductive structures that occur in fungi. Generally, both play a role in the sexual reproduction of fungi.
Key Areas Covered
1. What are Paraphyses
– Definition, Structure, Function
2. What are Basidium
– Definition, Structure, Function
3. Similarities Between Paraphyses and Basidium
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Paraphyses and Basidium
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Basidium, Paraphyses
What is Paraphyses
Paraphyses is a minute, jointed filament that grows among the antheridia and archegonia of mosses and other flowerless plants. They also occur in fungi and ferns. Generally, paraphysis occurs among the reproductive apparatus of the above-mentioned organisms. Here, it occurs as a part of the spore-bear structure in fungi that is fertile. However, paraphyses are sterile filamentous hyphal end cells. They are also a part of the hymenium of both Basidiomycota and Ascomycota fungi. Usually, they intersperse between basidia and asci. In addition to that, paraphyses contain pigments at the tips, coloring the hymenium.
Figure 1: Paraphyses
Furthermore, paraphyses are filament-like structures that occur on sporangia. They especially occur between clusters of antheridia and archegonia. The main function of paraphyses is to protect and enhance the function of sexual organs in many different organs. They generally occupy the space between sporangia.
What is Basidium
Basidium is a type of sporangium that is microscopic. Therefore, the main function of basidium is to produce spores. Usually, basidium occurs in the hymenophore of the fruiting bodies of the Basidiomycota, a division of fungi. Basidium also occurs in the tertiary mycelium that develops from the secondary mycelium. In general, tertiary mycelium is the highly-coiled secondary mycelium, and it is a dikaryon. However, the presence of basidium is the main characteristic feature of the division Basidiomycota. On the other hand, basidium bears four basidiospores. Occasionally, the number of basidiospores can vary from two to eight.
Figure 2: Basidium
Moreover, basidiospore occurs at the tip of the narrow horn, known as sterigma. The dispersal of basidiospores occurs forcibly, discharged upon maturity. Apart from that, the shape of the basidium is like a club. The basidium is narrow at the end and wider near the outer end. In addition to that, the immature basidium is known as basidiole. There are two types of basidia according to the number of cells in the basidium. They are holo-basidia, which contain a single-celled basidium, and phragmobasidia, which are multicellular.
Similarities Between Paraphyses and Basidium
- Paraphyses and basidium are two types of spore-bearing structures.
- They help in the sexual reproduction of fungi.
Difference Between Paraphyses and Basidium
Definition
Paraphyses refer to a sterile hair-like filament present among the reproductive organs in many lower plants, especially bryophytes, algae, and fungi while basidium refers to a microscopic, club-shaped, spore-bearing structure produced by certain fungi.
Shape
Paraphyses are tiny, joined filaments, while basidium is a small, club-shaped structure.
Occurrence
Paraphyses occur in ferns, bryophytes, fungi, and some thallophytes, while basidium occurs in Basidiomycota, a division of fungi.
Number of Spores
Paraphyses are part of a spore-bearing layer, while basidium contains four spores.
Function
Paraphyses protect and enhance the function of sporangia, but basidium bears spores.
Conclusion
In brief, paraphyses and basidium are two types of spore-bearing structures that allow the sexual reproduction of fungi. Generally, paraphyses are hair-like filament that contains minute joints. They also occur in ferns, bryophytes, fungi, and some thallophytes. In addition, they are a part of the spore-bearing layer, and the main function of paraphyses is the protect and enhance the sporangia. In comparison, basidium is a club-shaped structure that occurs in the division of fungi called Basidiomycota. Generally, it contains four spores. Therefore, the main difference between paraphyses and basidium is the structure and the number of spores in the structure.
References:
- “Paraphyses.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
- “Basidium.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation.
Image Courtesy:
- “2011-03-22 Geoglossum glutinosum Pers 138169” By Alan Rockefeller – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
- “Basidium schematic” By Debivort – Own Work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply