Aspergillus gets its name from its shape.
There is a vesicle in the shape of a circle, with filamentous extensions growing out from it
. This resembles the shape of an aspergillum, a device used for sprinkling holy water. As a pathogenic, opportunistic organism, Aspergillus species obtain nutrients from a host.
What type of reproductive structure is Aspergillus?
Aspergillus obtains nutrition from the environment through vegetative hyphae, which then grows to produce reproductive structure, i.e.
spores
. The hyphae of the Aspergillus species are of two types: Vegetative hyphae: It helps in nutrient absorption. Reproductive hyphae: It helps in the production of fungal spores.
What shape is Aspergillus?
The genus Aspergillus is characterized by the formation of
flask-shaped or cylindrical phialides
either in a single or double series on the surface of a vesicle at the apex of a conidiophore (Raper and Fennell 1965). Conidia are deciduous and globose, oblong to elliptical in shape, and present various colors.
How do you identify Aspergillus?
- They produce spores of between 200 and 400 mm.
- The color of the stipes is gray around the apex.
- They have a smooth surface.
- They have a small, columnous globuse.
- The surface of the conidia is either smooth or spinose.
What type of hyphae does Aspergillus have?
The hyphae of Aspergillus species range in diameter from 2.5 to 4.5 μm. They have
septate hyphae
, but these are not always apparent, and in such cases they may be mistaken for Zygomycota. Aspergillus hyphae tend to have dichotomous branching that is progressive and primarily at acute angles of around 45°.
Where can Aspergillus be found?
Aspergillus mold is unavoidable. Outdoors, it’s found
in decaying leaves and compost and on plants, trees and grain crops
. Everyday exposure to aspergillus is rarely a problem for people with healthy immune systems. When mold spores are inhaled, immune system cells surround and destroy them.
What color is Aspergillus?
Aspergillus is
black on the surface and usually white-ish or yellow underneath
. There are approximately 180 species of it, but you’ll often find aspergillus niger growing both in nature and in the damp area of houses. Another species, aspergillus flavus, is yellow-green in color and gold or reddish-brown underneath.
What is the mode of asexual reproduction in Aspergillus?
Introduction. Filamentous fungi reproduce by asexual and sexual means. Asexual reproduction involves
the generation of propagules such as conidia by mitotic processes
, whereas sexual reproduction involves nuclear fusion and consequent spore production by meiotic processes.
What is the life cycle of Aspergillus?
The Aspergillus life cycle comprises
asexual, parasexual, and sexual stages
. Upon germination, haploid asexual spores grow into branched filaments or hyphae of interconnected cells, thus forming a web known as the mycelium.
What is the function of Aspergillus?
Aspergillus fumigatus is a saprophytic fungus that plays an essential role in
recycling environmental carbon and nitrogen
(235, 506, 676). Its natural ecological niche is the soil, wherein it survives and grows on organic debris.
How do you confirm Aspergillus fumigatus?
- culture of a sputum sample to detect Aspergillus growth.
- a chest X-ray to look for signs of infection, such as aspergillomas.
- a blood test to detect if antibodies to Aspergillus are present in your bloodstream.
What does Aspergillus niger look like?
Cultural Characteristics of Aspergillus niger
Generally, they have a
cottony appearance
; initially white to yellow and then turning black. Made up of felt-like conidiophores. The reverse is white to yellow. In microscopy, the conidial heads are radiate with conidiogenous cells biseriate.
Which is the habitat for the Aspergillus across the world?
Aspergillus species are widespread in the environment, growing on plants, decaying organic matter, and in soils, air/bioaerosols, in/on animal systems and in
freshwater and marine habitats
. Aspergilli are also found in indoor environments (surfaces of buildings, air, household appliances, etc.)
Does Aspergillus ever go away?
Allergic aspergillosis
typically heals with treatment
. You may get it again if you’re repeatedly exposed to the fungus. Recovering from invasive aspergillosis depends on your overall health and the strength of your immune system. Aspergilloma often requires no treatment.
What are the types of Aspergillus?
- allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.
- allergic Aspergillus sinusitis.
- chronic pulmonary aspergillosis.
- cutaneous (skin) aspergillosis.
- invasive aspergillosis.
What is the common name of Aspergillus?
Aspergillus fumigatus
is the most common cause of human Aspergillus infections. Other common species include A. flavus, A. terreus, and A.
