These hyphae may be involved in a more local acquisition of nutrients Here you can see that there is a more limited growth of individual hyphae that did not form a rhizomorph. The picture at right is a closeup of part of the one at left. When a source of nutrition is located the fungus can produce a three-dimensional network or a mycorrhiza and then transport the nutrients back to the centre of the thallus. The rhizomorphs may not be involved in nutrient uptake as would the three-dimensional network described previously but may more likely be exploratory structures that function to extend out and locate new sources of nutrition in this case either a living root or perhaps a rich source of phosphorus or nitrogen. These 'ropes' or rhizomorphs are composed of hundreds of individual hyphae arranged to form a single unit. Instead of individual hyphae we see thick radiating 'ropes' extending out in all directions. The photo at left shows a small thallus of P. The two photographs above illustrate the yellow hyphae of Piloderma fallax, a common fungus in New Brunswick that forms mycorrhizae with the roots of fir and spruce. Usually such networks are embedded in the substrate and the fungus is thus exposed to its food source on all sides. Instead, they have radiated out in all directions to form a cross-linked three-dimensional network. The hyphae in this illustration do not show a particular orientation.

Mycelia are simply collections of hyphae that are abundant enough to form a visible mass. The picture at right, at a much lower magnification, shows a cobweb-like mass of fungal hyphae called a mycelium. Thus the septa seem to serve more of as supporting structures than as barriers. The septa are perforated by a central pore that allows the cell contents to flow through them. fimicola are relatively broad and have large septa dividing them into individual cells. The photograph above left was taken through a microscope at high magnification and shows hyphae of Sordaria fimicola. The vast majority of fungi produce hyphae and only a much smaller number, the yeasts live without. Finally, they may become bound together or modified to form more complex structures. Hyphae absorb nutrients from the environment and transport them to other parts of the thallus (fungus body). They contain the cytoplasm or cell sap, including the nuclei containing genetic material. Hyphae perform a variety of functions in fungi. They have rigid cell walls that may be reinforced by perforated cross-walls called septa (singular: septum). Hyphae are long tubular structures resembling garden hoses. However, all of these manifestations are formed of the same basic fungal unit, the hypha (plural: hyphae). Fungi can appear to be marvelously complex things, producing mushrooms, intricate coral-like structures and large brackets on trees.

Hyphal knots vs primordia