Hyphae

Definition

The branching, thread-like filaments that constitute the vegetative body of a fungus, oomycete, or actinobacterium. Hyphae grow by apical extension and may be septate (divided by cross-walls) or coenocytic (multinucleate and continuous). Collectively, an interwoven mass of hyphae forms a mycelium, the functional unit for nutrient absorption, substrate colonization, and reproduction.

Etymology

From Greek hyphē (web, thread)

Example

Entomopathogenic fungi such as Beauveria bassiana produce hyphae that penetrate the cuticle of host insects, proliferating internally until the mycelium fills the body cavity and produces external conidiophores.

Synonyms

• mycelial filament

Related Terms

• mycelium
• septum
• Conidiophore
• entomopathogenic fungus
• mycorrhiza
• sclerotium

Usage Notes

Hyphae are strictly fungal/prokaryotic structures and should not be confused with plant root hairs or algal filaments. In entomology, the term frequently appears in contexts of fungal infection of insects, decomposition ecology, and fungal-insect mutualisms such as attine ant agriculture. The singular 'hypha' is rarely used outside technical mycological writing; 'hyphae' serves as both plural and collective mass noun in general biological discourse.