gonidium

[ goh-nid-ee-uhm ]

noun

, plural go·nid·i·a [goh-, nid, -ee-, uh].

1. (in algae) any one-celled asexual reproductive body, as a tetraspore or zoospore.
2. an algal cell, or a filament of an alga, growing within the thallus of a lichen.

gonidium

/ ɡəˈnɪdɪəm /

noun

1. a green algal cell in the thallus of a lichen
2. an asexual reproductive cell in some colonial algae

gonidium

/ gō-nĭd′ē-əm /

, Plural gonidia

1. An asexual reproductive cell found in certain algae that form colonies. Gonidia undergo repeated mitoses to form new colonies, which then hatch out of the parent colonies.
2. A chlorophyll-bearing, photosynthetic algal cell housed in the thallus of a lichen.

Derived Forms

• goˈnidial, adjective

Other Words From

• go·nidi·al go·nidic adjective
• go·nidi·oid adjective
• inter·go·nidi·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonidium¹

1835–45; < New Latin, equivalent to gon- gon- + -idium noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of gonidium¹

C19: from New Latin, diminutive from gono-

Example Sentences

A, of Ustilago receptaculorum; B, of Tilletia Caries. sp, The gonidium. pm, The promycelium. d, The sporidia: in B the sporidia have coalesced in pairs at v.

From Project Gutenberg

Dr. Bornet believed himself to have established that every gonidium of a lichen may be referred to a species of algæ, and that the connection between the hypha and gonidia is of such a nature as to exclude all possibility of the one organ being produced by the other.

From Project Gutenberg

It is also to be noted as a significant fact, that the cellulose wall was intact at the apex, instead of showing the opening through which in ordinary cases the gonidium escapes.

From Project Gutenberg

The old cell wall seems to offer considerable resistance to the escape of the gonidium, for the latter, which displays remarkable elasticity, is pinched nearly in two while forcing its way through, assuming an hour glass shape when about half out.

From Project Gutenberg

The motile force is imparted to the gonidium by dense rows of waving cilia with which it is completely surrounded.

From Project Gutenberg