What is the Difference Between Primary and Secondary Mycelium?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚The main difference between primary and secondary mycelium lies in their structure and development stages in the life cycle of basidiomycete fungi. Here are the key differences:
- Primary Mycelium:
- Generated from the germination of basidiospores.
- Consists of monokaryotic haploid hyphae.
- Contains one haploid nucleus per cell.
- Represents the initial stage of the life cycle.
- Secondary Mycelium:
- Developed from the conjugation of two mating types of fungi.
- Forms dikaryotic hyphae.
- Contains two unfused haploid nuclei per cell, representing the dominant dikaryotic stage of the basidiomycete life cycle.
- Has a longer life span compared to primary mycelium.
In summary, primary mycelium is produced from the germination of basidiospores and consists of haploid hyphae, while secondary mycelium is formed from the fusion of two mating types of fungi and contains dikaryotic hyphae with two unfused haploid nuclei.
Comparative Table: Primary vs Secondary Mycelium
Primary mycelium and secondary mycelium are two stages in the life cycle of Basidiomycetes, a major group of fungi. Here is a table summarizing the differences between them:
| Feature | Primary Mycelium | Secondary Mycelium |
|---|---|---|
| Nuclei | Contains one haploid nucleus | Contains two haploid nuclei |
| Origin | Formed from the germination of basidiospores | Formed from the conjugation of two mating types of fungi |
| Life Span | Short | Long |
| Clamp Connections | Absent | Present |
| Stage | Monokaryotic phase | Dikaryotic phase |
| Fusion | No fusion of genetic material in the basidium | Fusion of genetic material in the basidium required |
| Fruiting Body | Not directly involved in producing fruiting bodies | Eventually generates a basidiocarp (mushroom) |
Primary mycelium is generated from the germination of haploid basidiospores and represents the monokaryotic phase of the life cycle. In contrast, secondary mycelium is formed from the conjugation of two sexually compatible hyphae and represents the dikaryotic phase of the life cycle. Secondary mycelium is the dominant stage of the life cycle and has a longer life span compared to primary mycelium.
- Hyphae vs Mycelium
- Primary vs Secondary Metabolites
- Primary vs Secondary Cell Culture
- Primary vs Secondary Growth
- Myxomycota vs Eumycota
- Primary vs Secondary Cells
- Ectomycorrhizal vs Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi
- Hyphae vs Pseudohyphae
- Primary Xylem vs Secondary Xylem
- Ectomycorrhizae vs Endomycorrhizae
- Primary vs Secondary Tuberculosis
- Mastigomycotina vs Zygomycota
- Ascomycetes vs Basidiomycetes
- Mushrooms vs Fungus
- Primary vs Secondary Lysosomes
- Myxomycota vs Oomycota
- Ascomycota vs Deuteromycota
- Primary vs Secondary Minerals
- Parasitic Roots vs Mycorrhizae