Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
dikaryotic
Adjective
/ˌdaɪˈkɛr.i.ˌɒt.ɪk/
Definition
A term used in mycology to describe a fungal cell or life stage that has two genetically distinct nuclei per cell, usually resulting from the fusion of two haploid cells.
Examples
- The dikaryotic stage is crucial for the formation of fruiting bodies in mushrooms.
- Mushrooms typically exhibit a dikaryotic phase before undergoing further developmental processes.
Meaning
In dikaryotic organisms, two nuclei coexist in the same cell without fusing, a common stage in the life cycle of certain fungi, particularly in the phylum Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.
Synonyms
- binucleate
- bikaryotic
