Question

A dikaryon means

• A. a cell with two diploid nuclei
• B. a cell with diploid nucleus formed after karyogamy
• C. a cell with two haploid nuclei formed after plasmogamy
• D. a product of double fertilisation in angiosperms

Answer 1

The correct option is C

a cell with two haploid nuclei formed after plasmogamy

In some fungi, plasmogamy (the fusion of protoplasts between two haploid cells) immediately results in diploid cells (2n). However, in other fungi (ascomycetes and basidiomycetes), an intervening dikaryotic stage (n + n i.e., two nuclei per cell) occurs; such a condition is called a dikaryon and the phase is called dikaryophase of fungus. The parental nuclei then fuse and the cells become diploid. This is followed by meiosis.