ascus

[ as-kuh s ]
/ ˈæs kəs /

noun, plural as·ci [as-ahy, -kahy, -kee] /ˈæs aɪ, -kaɪ, -ki/. Mycology.

the sac in ascomycetes in which the sexual spores are formed.

Origin of ascus

1820–30; < New Latin < Greek askós bag, sac

Words nearby ascus

ascription, ascriptive, ascs, ascu, asculum, ascus, asd, asde, asdic, ase, asea

Example sentences from the Web for ascus

British Dictionary definitions for ascus

ascus
/ (ˈæskəs) /

noun plural asci (ˈæsaɪ, ˈæskaɪ)

a saclike structure that produces (usually) eight ascospores during sexual reproduction in ascomycetous fungi such as yeasts and mildews

Word Origin for ascus

C19: from New Latin, from Greek askos bag

Medical definitions for ascus

ascus
[ ăs′kəs ]

n. pl. as•ci (ăs′ī′, -kī′)

A membranous, often club-shaped structure in which typically eight spores are formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes.

Scientific definitions for ascus

ascus
[ ăs′kəs ]

Plural asci (ăs′ī′, -kī′)

A membranous, often club-shaped structure inside which ascospores are formed through sexual reproduction in species of the fungi known as ascomycetes. The ascus is unique to ascomycetes and distinguishes them from other kinds of fungi. Asci are formed when two hyphae that are sexually compatible conjugate. Each ascus typically develops eight ascospores. Asci swell at maturity until they burst, shooting the ascospores into the air.