Rhizopus arrhizus | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Fungi |
Division: | Mucoromycota |
Class: | Mucoromycetes |
Order: | Mucorales |
Family: | Mucoraceae |
Genus: | Rhizopus |
Species: | R. arrhizus
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Binomial name | |
Rhizopus arrhizus (Fisher)
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Rhizopus arrhizus is a fungus of the family Mucoraceae, characterized by sporangiophores that arise from nodes at the point where the rhizoids are formed and by a hemispherical columella. It is the most common cause of mucormycosis in humans and occasionally infects other animals.
Rhizopus arrhizus spores contain ribosomes as a spore ultrastructure.[1]
Metabolism in the fungus changes from aerobic to fermentation at various points in its life cycle.[2]
One detail of spore ultrastructure not previously emphasized in studies of these fungi is the appearance of ribosomes. After chrome-osmium postfixation, it was possible to observe dense, approximately round, cytoplasmic particles which lay apparently free throughout the cells
The metabolism of Rhizopus arrhizus (Fischer) during growth and asexual sporulation was investigated. Aerobic respiration occurred during spore germination but changed to fermentation during the initial stages of growth. During the later stages of growth and sporulation, the respiration again became aerobic.