Hyphae with two nuclei per cell are called _____.

• A. diploid
• B. multicellular
• C. heterozygotic
• D. prokaryotic
• E. dikaryotic

Answer: (E)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the structure of hyphae: Hyphae are the thread-like structures that make up the mycelium of a fungus. They can have different cellular organizations.
2. Identify the term 'dikaryotic': In a dikaryotic cell, there are two distinct nuclei per cell. This is a common stage in the life cycle of fungi, particularly in the phylum Basidiomycota and Ascomycota.
3. Differentiate between the options: 'Diploid' refers to cells with two sets of chromosomes, not necessarily two nuclei. 'Multicellular' refers to an organism made up of multiple cells, not the nuclear condition of a single cell. 'Heterozygotic' refers to having two different alleles of a gene, and 'prokaryotic' refers to cells without a nucleus.
4. Relate the term 'dikaryotic' to the context of fungi: In many fungi, after plasmogamy (fusion of cytoplasm), the nuclei from the two parent cells do not immediately fuse, resulting in a dikaryotic condition.
5. Conclude that the correct term for hyphae with two nuclei per cell is 'dikaryotic', as it specifically describes the presence of two separate nuclei within each cell.