Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
09:04
Yeast Colony Embedding Method
Published on: March 22, 2011
Yeast and fungal morphogenesis from an evolutionary perspective.
Roland Wedlich-Soldner1, Rong Li
1Max-Planck Institute of Biochemistry, Am Klopferspitz 18, 82152 Martinsried, Germany. wedlich@biochem.mpg.de
Seminars in Cell & Developmental Biology
|February 27, 2008
Summary
This study explores cellular morphogenesis in yeast and fungi, explaining its complexity through evolutionary "facilitated variation". It highlights how weak regulatory links drive diverse fungal shape changes.
Area of Science:
- Cell Biology
- Evolutionary Biology
- Mycology
Background:
- Cellular morphogenesis is a complex biological process.
- Molecular studies have generated extensive data on morphogenesis.
- Fungal systems, especially yeasts, are key models for studying cellular processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To address the design principles of yeast and fungal morphogenesis.
- To explain the molecular complexity of morphogenesis using evolutionary theory.
- To discuss core processes and regulatory linkages in morphogenetic variation.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing molecular studies on fungal morphogenesis.
- Application of the evolutionary theory of "facilitated variation".
- Analysis of recent examples of morphogenetic phenomena in fungi.
Main Results:
- Fungal morphogenesis exhibits complex molecular underpinnings.
- The theory of "facilitated variation" offers an explanatory framework.
- Weak regulatory linkages contribute to diverse morphogenetic phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- Yeast and fungal morphogenesis can be understood through evolutionary principles.
- Facilitated variation helps explain the apparent molecular complexity.
- Understanding regulatory linkages is crucial for comprehending phenotypic diversity.
More Related Videos
09:03Rapid Freezing using Sandwich Freezing Device for Good Ultrastructural Preservation of Biological Specimens in Electron Microscopy
Published on: July 19, 2021
09:24Use of In Vivo Imaging to Screen for Morphogenesis Phenotypes in Candida albicans Mutant Strains During Active Infection in a Mammalian Host
Published on: October 12, 2022
Related Concept Videos
01:29Overview of Fungi
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
01:28Yeast Signaling
Yeasts are single-celled organisms, but unlike bacteria, they are eukaryotes (cells with a nucleus). Cell signaling in yeast is similar to signaling in other eukaryotic cells. A ligand, such as a protein or a small molecule released from a yeast cell, attaches to a receptor on the cell surface. The binding stimulates second-messenger kinases to activate or inactivate transcription factors that further regulate gene expression. Many of the yeast intracellular signaling cascades have similar...
01:29Fungal Group Zygomycota
Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...
01:28Fungal Phylum Ascomycota
Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...
01:24Evolution of New Traits in Microbes
Microorganisms evolve rapidly due to their large population sizes and short generation times, often exhibiting measurable changes within days under laboratory conditions. Natural selection acts on standing genetic variation, enabling the retention and amplification of beneficial traits that confer fitness advantages in changing environments.Adaptive Pigment Regulation in RhodobacterIn Rhodobacter, a genus of purple non-sulfur bacteria, light-harvesting pigments such as bacteriochlorophyll and...
01:28Fungal Phylum Microsporidia
Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...