Ascus vs. Basidium — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Ascus and Basidium
ADVERTISEMENT
Definitions
Ascus➦
An ascus (plural asci; from Greek ἀσκός ảskós 'skin bag') is the sexual spore-bearing cell produced in ascomycete fungi. Each ascus usually contains eight ascospores (or octad), produced by meiosis followed, in most species, by a mitotic cell division.
Basidium➦
A basidium (pl., basidia) is a microscopic sporangium (or spore-producing structure) found on the hymenophore of fruiting bodies of basidiomycete fungi which are also called tertiary mycelium, developed from secondary mycelium. Tertiary mycelium is highly coiled secondary mycelium, a dikaryon.
Ascus➦
A membranous, often club-shaped structure in ascomycetes in which karyogamy occurs, followed by the formation of eight haploid ascospores.
Basidium➦
A small, specialized club-shaped structure typically bearing four basidiospores at the tips of minute projections. The basidium is unique to basidiomycetes and distinguishes them from other kinds of fungi.
Ascus➦
(mycology) A sac-shaped cell present in ascomycete fungi; it is a reproductive cell in which meiosis and an additional cell division produce eight spores.
Basidium➦
(mycology) A small structure, shaped like a club, found in the Basidiomycota division of fungi, that bears four spores at the tips of small projections. 19
ADVERTISEMENT
Ascus➦
A small membranous bladder or tube in which are inclosed the seedlike reproductive particles or sporules of lichens and certain fungi.
Basidium➦
A special oblong or pyriform cell, with slender branches, which bears the spores in that division of fungi called Basidiomycetes, of which the common mushroom is an example.
Ascus➦
Saclike structure in which ascospores are formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes
Basidium➦
A small club-shaped structure typically bearing four basidiospores at the ends of minute projections; unique to basidiomycetes