blastospore: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Rare/Very LowTechnical/Scientific
Quick answer
What does “blastospore” mean?
A spore formed by budding, as in certain fungi and yeasts.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A spore formed by budding, as in certain fungi and yeasts.
A fungal or yeast cell that reproduces asexually by budding from a parent cell, often serving as a dispersal or reproductive unit.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant spelling or usage differences. Term is standardized internationally in scientific literature.
Connotations
Purely denotative, scientific term with no additional cultural connotations in either variety.
Frequency
Exclusively used in technical mycology and microbiology texts in both regions; effectively non-existent in general language.
Grammar
How to Use “blastospore” in a Sentence
The fungus reproduces via blastospores.Blastospores bud from the parent cell.Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “blastospore” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The blastospore stage was predominant in the culture.
- Blastospore formation was observed.
American English
- The blastospore morphology was distinct.
- Blastospore development is temperature-dependent.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Academic
Used in mycology, microbiology, and medical mycology research papers.
Everyday
Not used in everyday conversation.
Technical
Core term in describing the asexual reproductive stage of yeasts (e.g., Candida albicans) and some other fungi.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “blastospore”
Neutral
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “blastospore”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “blastospore”
- Confusing it with other spore types like conidia or ascospores.
- Using it as a general term for any spore.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a highly specialized scientific term used almost exclusively in mycology and microbiology.
Primarily yeasts (like Candida) and some other fungi that reproduce asexually by budding.
Both are asexual spores. A blastospore is formed by budding, while a conidium is typically formed at the tip or side of a specialized hypha (conidiophore).
It would be highly unusual and likely not understood outside of a scientific context.
A spore formed by budding, as in certain fungi and yeasts.
Blastospore is usually technical/scientific in register.
Blastospore: in British English it is pronounced /ˈblæstəʊˌspɔː/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈblæstoʊˌspɔːr/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
"BLASTO-spore" - Think of a BLAST (or bud) forming a spore. It's a spore formed by blasting/budding off from another cell.
Conceptual Metaphor
A 'bud' or 'offshoot' from a parent organism.
Practice
Quiz
What is a blastospore?