Spore Collection (#6)

Puffball fungus spores, SEM
Puffball fungus spores, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). These are the reproductive cells of the fungus. Magnification: x3000 when printed at 10 centimetres wide

Pear rust fungus, light micrograph
Pear rust fungus. Light micrograph of a section through tissue from a juniper tree infected with pear rust fungus (Gymnosporangium sabinae, lower right)

Grey mould fungus, light micrograph
Grey mould fungus. Light micrograph of a section through onion tissue infected with grey mould fungus (Botrytis allii). Botrytis is a parasitic saprophyte mould that grows on wounded plants

Corn smut infection, light micrograph
Corn smut infection. Light micrograph of a section through tissue from a corn (Zea mays) plant infected with corn smut fungus (Ustilago maydis)

Bramble rust fungus spores. Light micrograph of teliospores from the bramble rust fungus (Phragmidium violaceum). Magnification: x37 when printed 10 centimetres wide

Rose mildew fungus, light micrograph
Rose mildew fungus. Light micrograph of a section through tissue from a rose plant infected with rose mildew fungus (Erysiphe pannosa)

Polypody fern sori (Polypodium vulgare)
Sori on the underside of fronds of the common polypody fern, Polypodium vulgare. The life cycle of a fern consists of alternating generations of which the green fern " plant" is the asexual

Black scab infection, light micrograph
Black scab infection. Light micrograph of a section through a potato infected with black scab (Synchytrium endobioticum) fungus

Powdery scab infection, light micrograph
Powdery scab infection. Light micrograph of a section through a potato infected with powdery scab (Spongospora subterranea), showing pustules and spores. S

Plum pocket infection, light micrograph
Plum pocket infection. Light micrograph of a section through a plum gall caused by the plum pocket fungus (Taphrina pruni)

Rust fungus in a leaf, light micrograph
Rust fungus in a leaf. Light micrograph of a section through a wheat leaf infected with the parasitic Puccinia graminis rust

Penicillium mould, light micrograph
Penicillium mould. Light micrograph of a section through an orange rind infected with Penicillium sp. blue mould fungus, showing fungal hyphae and conidiophores (pink and purple) with spores (red)

Brown mould fungus, light micrograph
Brown mould fungus. Light micrograph of a section through decaying plant tissue infected with brown mould fungus (Aspergillus glaucum)

Downy mildew infection, light micrograph
Downy mildew infection. Light micrograph of a section through a grapevine (Vitis sp.) leaf infected with downy mildew (Plasmopara viticola)

Hollyhock rust fungus in a leaf. Light micrograph of a section through a hollyhock (Alcea sp.) leaf infected with the parasitic Puccinia malvacearum rust, showing the teliospores (spores)

Bacterial endospore formation, diagram. The initial stage is at upper left, following the arrow to a ninth stage at lower right

Fern spore cases, SEM
Fern spore cases. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a sorus on the underside of a fern leaf. A sorus is a group of sporangia (round lumps)

Stilton cheese, SEM
Stilton. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a blue vein in a piece of Stilton cheese. The colour and flavour of the cheese is produced by the fungus Penicillium roquefortii

Fern leaf, SEM
Fern leaf. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the underside of a fern leaf, showing sori. A sorus is a group of sporangia (brown)

Nematode-killing fungus, SEM
Nematode-killing fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spore chains from the fungus Paecilomyces variotii. This fungus is found in soil and decaying plant matter

Fern frond, light micrograph. Transverse section through the frond of a fern (Cyrtomium falcatum), showing the sporangia. At left is a central vascular bundle (meristele)

Horsetail cone, light micrograph. Longitudinal section through a young cone (strobilus) of the rough horsetail (Equisetum hyemale)

Liverwort spore capsule, light micrograph. Longitudinal section through the thallus and sporangium of a liverwort (Jungammania sp.) The sporangium (spore capsule)

Liverwort spore elaters, light micrograph. Transverse section through the sporangium of a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla). This is the basal portion of the sporangium

Moss spore capsule, light micrograph
Moss spore capsule, polarised light micrograph. Longitudinal section through a spore capsule from a fire moss (Funaria hygrometrica)

Bean rust pustules, SEM
Bean rust (Uromyces sp.) pustules, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). The spores (orange) are emerging from pustules on the underside of a leaf on a bean plant

Mushroom gill cap, light micrograph. Transverse section through the cap of a common mushroom (Psalliota sp.) showing the gill lamellae (white)

Liverwort spores, light micrograph. Transverse section through the sporangium of a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla). Part of the sporangiums outer wall is at left

Bean rust spores, SEM
Bean rust (Uromyces sp.) spores, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). Bean rust is a fungal disease that infects bean plants

Rust fungus infection, light micrograph. Transverse section through a barberry (Berberis sp.) leaf infected by a parasitic rust (Puccinia sp.)

Mould fruiting bodies, light micrograph. Black mould (Rhizopus nigricans) fruiting bodies (top and upper right) liberating spores

Aspergillus fungus spores, SEM
Aspergillus fungus spores, coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM). These chains of spores (orange) are the reproductive cells of the fruiting body, or conidiophore

Penicillium fungus, SEM
Penicillium fungus. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a Penicillium sp. fungus. Specialised threads (hyphae, pink), called conidiophores, are seen

Coloured SEM of anthrax bacteria spores

Clostridium tetani bacterial spore
False-colour transmission electron micrograph (TEM) of a Clostridium tetani bacterial spore. The bacterium causes tetanus (lockjaw)

Anthrax bacteria spores
False-colour scanning electron micrograph of spores of the large, rod-shaped bacteria Bacillus anthracis, the causative agent of anthrax in farm animals

Anthrax bacteria. Computer artwork of Bacillus anthracis bacteria (green) releasing spores (orange). These are Gram-positive, rod-shaped, spore-forming bacteria

Liverwort spore case, light micrograph
Liverwort spore case. Light micrograph of a vertical section through a spore case (sporophyte) from a liverwort (Pellia epiphylla)

Bracken spores, SEM
Bracken spores. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the leaves of a bracken plant (Pteridium aquilinum). The undersides of the leaves are covered in spore-containing sacs known as

Earth star mushroom (Geastrum triplex) growing in woodland soil. It has released (puffed) a cloud of reproductive spores (upper centre)

Horsetail spores, SEM
Horsetail spores. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spores of a horsetail (Equisetum sp.). The spores (orange) bear elaters (green), which expand and contract with changes in humidity

Liverwort spore cases, light micrograph
Liverwort spore cases. Light micrograph of a cross-section through five spore cases (sporophytes) from the liverwort Conocephalum conicum (Marchantiales)

Fern spores, SEM
Fern spores. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of spores (red) of a fern partly enclosed in a sporangium. The undersides of the leaves of ferns are covered in these spore-containing sacs

Bracken leaves, SEM
Bracken leaves. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the leaves of a bracken plant (Pteridium aquilinum). The undersides of the leaves are covered in spore-containing sacs known as

Sporangium of bread mould, Rhizopus
False colour scanning electron micrograph of a sporangium, or fruiting body, of the common bread mould, Rhizopus stolonifer. Spores circulate freely in the air

Fungal reproduction, SEM
Fungal reproduction. Coloured scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of the tip of a branch of a conidiophore (one type of fungal reproductive structure) with a conidia (spore) emerging from the tip

Spore of field horsetail
False colour scanning electron micrograph of spores of the field horsetail, Equisetum arvense. The horsetail is the only living type of a primitive family of plants, the Sphenopsids

Bread mould, Rhizopus
Macrophotograph of a thirteen day old growth of a bread mould (fungus) Rhizopus sp. The slices of bread are overgrown with a network of vegetative hyphae (transparent & threadlike)

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"Exploring the Fascinating World of Spores: From Aspergillus to Fungal Kingdom" Delving into the microscopic realm, we uncover the enchanting world of spores. Take a closer look at these tiny wonders that play a significant role in various organisms' life cycles. Intriguingly, Aspergillus reveals its intricate structure under scrutiny. Its delicate filaments intertwine, forming an elaborate network that aids in reproduction and dispersal. Moving on to moss capsules like Homalothecium sericeum, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) unveils their mesmerizing architecture. These capsules serve as nature's ingenious vessels for carrying spores, ensuring their propagation across vast distances. Witnessing phagocytosis of fungal spores through SEM is truly captivating. This process showcases how cells engulf these minuscule entities, highlighting the complex interactions between fungi and other organisms within ecosystems. Cyanobacteria also make an appearance under SEM's watchful eye. Their vibrant colors come alive as we observe these photosynthetic microorganisms responsible for oxygen production and nitrogen fixation. The horsetail family presents its own unique spore structures captured by SEM. The common horsetail displays its distinctive spore arrangement while field horsetail exhibits its elegant beauty up close - both showcasing nature's remarkable diversity. Bread mould takes center stage with SEM revealing its intricate filamentous hyphae adorned with countless reproductive spores. These resilient structures ensure bread mould's survival even in unfavorable conditions. Further exploring fungal realms through SEM unravels more astonishing details about their diverse forms and functions. Each species boasts distinct characteristics that aid them in colonizing new habitats or spreading far and wide across landscapes. Clostridium tetani offers us a glimpse into history with an ancient lithograph depicting colonies brimming with dormant yet potent spores dating back to 1906 – reminding us of science's enduring quest to understand the microbial world.