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Sporangium of bread mould, Rhizopus
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Sporangium of bread mould, Rhizopus
False colour scanning electron micrograph of a sporangium, or fruiting body, of the common bread mould, Rhizopus stolonifer. Spores circulate freely in the air. When they alight on a favourable medium, they germinate a network of hyphae (threads). Their function is to absorb food for growth & for spore production. Rhizopus produces stolons, or aerial hyphae, which on contact with a medium grow rhizoids or " rootlets". They anchor the fungus & absorb some water. Spores develop in saclike bodies, or sporangia. Under pressure from the maturing spores, the wall fragments, releasing the spores for dispersal. Magnification: X 71 at 35mm size
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Media ID 6292249
© DR JEREMY BURGESS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY
Bread Bread Mould Eumycota Fungal Fungi Fungus Mold Mould Mouldy Mycology Naturemycology Rhizopus Stolonifer Sporangium Spore
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This print showcases the intricate beauty of a sporangium, or fruiting body, belonging to the common bread mould known as Rhizopus stolonifer. Through false color scanning electron microscopy, we are granted a closer look at this fascinating organism. Spores from Rhizopus freely circulate in the air until they find a suitable environment to settle on. Once landed, these spores germinate and give rise to an elaborate network of hyphae - delicate threads responsible for absorbing nutrients necessary for growth and spore production. Rhizopus exhibits remarkable adaptability by producing stolons or aerial hyphae that extend outward upon contact with a medium. These aerial structures then grow rhizoids or "rootlets" which serve both as anchors for the fungus and as conduits for water absorption. The development of spores takes place within saclike bodies called sporangia. Under pressure exerted by maturing spores, the wall of the sporangium eventually fragments, liberating these reproductive units into their surroundings for dispersal purposes. At 71 times magnification when printed at 35mm size, this image provides us with an extraordinary glimpse into nature's microscopic wonders. Through this mesmerizing photograph captured by Science Photo Library's scanning electron micrography technique, we can appreciate the intricacies of bread mould's life cycle while marveling at its unique structure and vibrant colors.
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