In what sense do (some?) fungi species have so many sexes? What does having A particular sex as oppose to another mean for a fungi and how are there so many of them?

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In what sense do (some?) fungi species have so many sexes? What does having A particular sex as oppose to another mean for a fungi and how are there so many of them?

In: Biology

2 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

In biology sex refers to whether the organism produces small gametes (male) or large gametes (female).

But fungi doesn’t have two differently sized gametes. When pop science magazines report that they have many sexes, it’s inaccurate because in biology they are called mating types, not sexes. In mating types, sexual reproduction can occur if the proteins on the outside of the cells are compatible. Many times there are two compatible types, but some strains of fungi can have many different types. Where each type can only mate with specific others.

Anonymous 0 Comments

Number of sexes is not important. What matters is that any sexual system forces genetic re-assortments.