oomycete

[ oh-uh-mahy-seet, -mahy-seet ]

noun

1. any of various algaelike fungi constituting the phylum Oomycota of the kingdom Fungi (or the class Oomycetes of the kingdom Plantae), characterized by the formation of oospores.

oomycete

/ ˌəʊəˈmaɪsiːt /

noun

1. any organism of the phylum Oomycota (or Oomycetes ), formerly classified as fungi but now usually included in the kingdom Protoctista or Protista : includes the water moulds and downy mildews

oomycete

/ ō′ə-mī′sēt′ /

1. Any of various nonphotosynthetic protists belonging to the phylum Oomycota and living in marine, freshwater, and soil environments. Oomycetes have cell walls made of cellulose or similar substances, and store their food as glycogen. They reproduce asexually by the formation of diploid spores (called zoospores) with two flagellae. Sexual reproduction involves the formation of a number of eggs within a structure called an oogonium. The eggs are fertilized by antheridia that penetrate the oogonium and deliver nuclei to the eggs. The oomycetes were formerly classified among the fungi because their filamentous bodies resembled fungal hyphae. The phylum includes several species that cause important plant diseases, such as late blight.

Word History and Origins

Origin of oomycete¹

< New Latin Oomycetes; oo-, -mycete

Example Sentences

Osaka Metropolitan University scientists have discovered that a mycovirus that infects plant pathogenic oomycete Globisporangium ultimum can increase the latter's sensitivity to specific fungicides.

From Science Daily

The research team zeroed in on Globisporangium ultimum, a major soil-borne oomycete responsible for damping-off and root rot in many plant species.

From Science Daily

"Our results indicate that mycoviral infections alter the sensitivity of the host oomycete to fungicides," said Aika Higuchi, a master's student and this study's first author.

From Science Daily

"Our research shows that the effects of viral infection on host oomycete can only be seen under certain conditions," Mochizuki said.

From Science Daily

Take for example Saprolegnia parasitica, a fungal-like organism from the oomycete family.

From Salon