Question

What is a dikaryon?

Answer 1

Dikaryon:

1. The fusion of two haploid cells does not always result in diploid cells in some fungi (2n).
2. Instead, an intermediate dikaryotic stage (n + n, i.e., two nuclei per cell) arises.
3. When this happens, two cells' nuclei couple up and cohabit without fusing.
4. This state is known as a dikaryon, and the phase is known as the fungal dikaryophase.
5. Example - Ascomycetes and Basidiomycetes.