What term describes a loose network of hyphae?

• A. Aseptate hyphae
• B. Septate hyphae
• C. Yeast
• D. Mycelium

Answer: (D)

A loose network of hyphae is called a mycelium. Hyphae are the threadlike filaments that make up the body of fungi, and when many hyphae grow together and intertwine, they form a mycelial network that extends into the substrate to secrete enzymes and absorb nutrients. The terms aseptate hyphae and septate hyphae describe the internal structure of individual hyphae—whether they lack septa or have cross-walls—not the overall filamentous network. Yeast, on the other hand, are unicellular fungi, not a filamentous network. So the term that best describes the loose network of hyphae is mycelium.