The main difference between heterokaryotic and dikaryotic organisms is that heterokaryotic organisms have two or more genetically different nuclei, while dikaryotic organisms have two genetically different nuclei.
The terms heterokaryotic and dikaryotic are used to describe microorganisms such as fungi and their reproductive process.
Key areas covered
1. What is heterokaryotic - definition, characteristics 2. What is dikaryotic - definition, characteristics 3. What are the similarities between heterokaryotic and dikaryotic - outline of common characteristics 4. What is the difference between heterokaryotic and dikaryotic - comparison of main differences
key terms
heterokaryotic, heterokaryotic, dikaryotic, dikaryotic
What is heterokaryotic?
The term heterokaryotic defines an organism with genetically different nuclei in the same cell. In general, these organisms contain multinucleated cells. In addition, the noun for the term heterokaryotic is heterokaryonic. It is a special type of syncytium (a multinucleated cell that is made up of multiple cell fusions of mononuclear cells - a mononuclear cell contains some form of genetic material in the cell nuclei).
Figure 1: Mycelium of mushrooms
In addition, there are two forms of heterokaryon formation: natural formation and artificial formation. In nature, these multinucleated cells occur in the mycelium of fungi during their sexual cycle. However, the artificial formation can be observed in the experimental fusion of different genetic matter in hybridoma technology.
What is dikaryotic?
Dikaryotic refers to an organism with two genetically different nuclei in the same cell. These organisms are known as dikaryons. During plasmogamy of organisms, compatible cell types can fuse together through the combination of their cytoplasm. Here the two cell nuclei in each cell tend to live together in the newly formed cell by mating with each other. In addition, this dikaryotic stage can be observed in hyphae cells that divide synchronously. The pairs of nuclei are then passed on to the new cells.
Figure 2: A form of Ascomycota
In addition, common examples of dikaryotic cells are Ascomycota ascogeneous hyphae and ascocarp cells. However, the mass cells of these organisms remain in the monokaryotic form.
Similarities Between Dikaryon and Heterokaryon
- Both heterokaryotic and dikaryotic organisms are organisms that have more than one genetically different nucleus.
- In addition, both types of organisms have only one cytoplasm in common.
Difference between heterokaryotic and dikaryotic
definition
Heterokaryotic organisms are organisms with genetically different nuclei in the same cell, while dikaryotic organisms are organisms with two genetically different nuclei in the same cell.
Genetic matter
Heterokaryotic organisms have two or more nuclei in the same cell, while dikaryotic organisms have two nuclei in the same cell, but they are genetically different nuclei.
Appear
In addition, heterokaryon cells are not only found in fungi, as they can also be seen in slime molds. However, dikaryon cells are unique to fungi.
Examples
An example of the occurrence of natural heterokaryotic cells is the mycelium of fungi; We also find artificial heterokaryotic cells in hybridoma technology, which is the experimental fusion of two genetically different cells. An example of the occurrence of dikaryotic cells is now in Ascomycota ascogenic hyphae and ascocarp.
diploma
In short, dikaryon and heterokaryon are two terms used to describe that two or more genetically different nuclei share in a common cytoplasm. However, as their names suggest, dikaryotic organisms contain two nuclei that are genetically different from one another, while heterokaryotic organisms are multicellular organisms with genetically different nuclei. Hence, the main difference between heterokaryotic and dikaryotic organisms is the number of nuclei.
Reference:
1. "Heterokaryon". Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, May 16, 2020, available here . "Dikaryon." Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation, May 15, 2020, available here .
Image courtesy:
1. "The roots of the mushroom (Mycélium)" By - the original uploader was Lex vB at the Dutch Wikipedia. - Originally from nl.wikipedia (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia 2. “Scarlet Elf Hat Cadnant Dingle” (Public Domain) via Commons Wikimedia
