What Does hyphae Mean
Before proceeding to know the meaning of the term hyphae, it is necessary, first of all, to discover its etymological origin. In this case, we have to state that it is a neologism that comes from modern Latin, specifically from the word “hypha”. This, in turn, derives from the Greek, from the word "hyphe", which can be translated as "very fine cloth" or "tissue".
Likewise, we cannot ignore that this term was coined at the beginning of the 19th century, specifically in the year 1810, by the German botanist, mycologist and taxonomist Carl Ludwig Willdenou (1765 - 1812). This has gone down in history for being one of the creators of Phytogeography, which is the science that is responsible for studying what is the habitat of plants throughout the entire surface of the Earth.
The multicellular fungi have in his body a network of filaments known as hyphae constituting its structure. These are tubular cells , covered with chitin, which together form the mycelium .
Sometimes the hyphae are divided into septa , which are delimited by partitions and allow cytoplasmic separation. In these septate or septate hyphae , the nuclei can pass from one septum to another through the pores, achieving reproduction .
The coenocytic or asept hyphae , on the other hand, are not septate. In these cases, the nuclei are distributed throughout the cytoplasmic filament.
Hyphae, in short, constitute the structural unit of multicellular fungi . Inside they house the cytoplasm , which in turn contains organoids that perform various functions.
Experts recognize various classes of hyphae. The enveloping hyphae are asept, have thick walls , are branched and their ends are pointed. In contrast, the skeletal hyphae , also asept, are not branched. The generative hyphae , meanwhile, are septate and have thin walls.
These three types of hyphae form the trimitic system . Skeletal and generative hyphae give rise to the dimitic system , while generative hyphae make up the monomytic system . The generative hyphae, in turn, form the connective tissue , and the other two produce the fundamental tissue .
There are also other classifications of hyphae according to their characteristics. There are names that arise from the presence or absence of latex, pigmentation, etc. In this framework we can speak of laticiferous hyphae (they have latex), oleiferous hyphae (they lack latex) and others.
In the same way, we cannot ignore that Hifas da Terra is a biotechnology center in Spain that specializes in researching fungi and mushrooms in order to use them for medicinal purposes.
Catalina F. de Ana Portela, Esteban Sinde Stompel and Francisco F. de Ana Magán are the founders of this company that currently has several lines of research open on autoimmune, neurodegenerative, cardiovascular diseases and even cancer.
So far this center has won two important awards such as the 2016 Food Award from Spain for Ecological Production and the Recognition for Innovation 2014 in the XIV National Young Entrepreneur Award.