Index >> Growth of Microorganism >> Mycelial Growth

Mycelial Growth
The filamentous growth results when cells do not separate after division. This growth form is most highly developed in fungi and filamentous actinomycetes.

Here, extension of individual filaments, or hyphae occurs by addition of material to the hyphal tips.
In most fungi material is synthesised in a length of hypha called the peripheral growth zone and is transported to the tip in membrane-bound vesicles.

Hyphae of Neurospora crassa extend up to 38 µm/minute, and have a peripheral growth zone length of 4 mm.
Approximately 38000 vesicles must fuse with the tip every minute, to maintain this extension rate. Materials synthesised behind the peripheral growth zone will never catch up with the tip.