A mass of threadlike filaments that form the main growing structure of a fungus is called what?

A mass of threadlike filaments that form the main growing structure of a fungus is called what?

• A. Mycelium
• B. Hyphae
• C. Spore
• D. Mycoderm

Answer: (A)

The main concept here is how fungi are built and grow. Fungi are made up of threadlike filaments called hyphae. When many hyphae grow together and spread, they form a network known as the mycelium. This mycelium is the vegetative, nutrient-absorbing part of the fungus and is what you’d see as a mass or web of threads. A spore, in contrast, is a reproductive unit used for dispersal and germination to start new growth. Mycoderm isn’t the term used for the fungus’s main growing structure. So the mass described is the mycelium.

The main concept here is how fungi are built and grow. Fungi are made up of threadlike filaments called hyphae. When many hyphae grow together and spread, they form a network known as the mycelium. This mycelium is the vegetative, nutrient-absorbing part of the fungus and is what you’d see as a mass or web of threads. A spore, in contrast, is a reproductive unit used for dispersal and germination to start new growth. Mycoderm isn’t the term used for the fungus’s main growing structure. So the mass described is the mycelium.