asci

[as-ahy] /ˈæs aɪ/

noun

plural of ascus.

ascus

[as-kuh s] /ˈæs kəs/

noun, plural asci

[as-ahy, -kahy, -kee] /ˈæs aɪ, -kaɪ, -ki/ (Show IPA). Mycology.

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

Origin of ascus

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

Examples from the Web for asci

Historical Examples

asci are cylindrical; spores spindle-shaped, straight or bow-shaped, rough, 35–8; paraphyses thread-shaped.

The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise M. E. Hard
The asci are cylindrical, slightly pointed at the apex, 8-spored.

The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise M. E. Hard
These cysts are respectively known as sporangia, and asci or thecæ.

Fungi: Their Nature and Uses Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
The asci differ in shape and size, according to the species.

Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous Thomas Taylor
Two asci of same, and contained spores, and accompanying filaments; more magnified.

The Elements of Botany Asa Gray
In the genus Elaphomyces, the asci are more than commonly diffluent.

Fungi: Their Nature and Uses Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
In some of these, the asci are evanescent, but in the greater number are permanent.

Fungi: Their Nature and Uses Mordecai Cubitt Cooke
Saccardo calls its asci (sacs which contain the spores) sporangia.

Student's Hand-book of Mushrooms of America, Edible and Poisonous Thomas Taylor
Ascus (asci), a sac, the spore-case of Lichens and some Fungi.

The Elements of Botany Asa Gray
The asci are always present, the paraphyses are sometimes rare, and the mucilage in many cases seems to be entirely wanting.

Fungi: Their Nature and Uses Mordecai Cubitt Cooke

British Dictionary definitions for asci

asci

/ˈæsaɪ; ˈæskaɪ/

noun

the plural of ascus

ascus

/ˈæskəs/

noun (pl) asci (ˈæsaɪ; ˈæskaɪ)

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

Word Origin

C19: from New Latin, from Greek askos bag

Word Origin and History for asci

ascus

"sac in certain fungi," 1830, Modern Latin, from Greek askos "leather bag, wine skin," of unknown origin.

asci in Medicine

ascus as·cus (ās'kəs)
n. pl. as·ci (ās'ī', -kī')
A membranous, often club-shaped structure in which typically eight spores are formed through sexual reproduction of ascomycetes.

asci in Science

ascus

(ās'kəs)
Plural asci (ās'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.