Definition

A type of spore that is produced asexually by certain fungi, typically found on a structure called a conidiophore.

Example

The scientist observed the conidia under the microscope to study their structure.

Conversation

Have you ever heard of a conidium?

I think I read about it in a biology class once.

Yeah, it's a type of spore produced by fungi, right?

Exactly! It's fascinating how they reproduce asexually.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Root Explanation

Conidium is formed from "con-" (meaning together) and "idium" (a diminutive suffix in Greek, often used in biological terms). The word refers to a small, asexual spore produced by certain fungi, emphasizing its nature of being a small unit that develops together with others.

Memory Tip

Think of 'together' ('con-') and a 'small unit' ('idium') to remember that a conidium is a small spore that develops in groups.

Visually Confused Words