Question #ea677
1 Answer
Dec 5, 2017
In biology, a clamp connection is a structure formed by growing hyphal cells of certain fungi.
Explanation:
It is created to ensure each cell, or segment of hypha separated by septa, receives a set of differing nuclei, which are obtained through mating of hyphae of differing sexual types. It is used to create genetic variation within the hypha much like the mechanisms found in crozier during sexual reproduction.
It is believed that the formation of clamp connections, where they occur in the dikaryons of some species, function in ensuring that each cell is binucleate.
Additional info with graphics:
http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/Bot201/Basidiomycota/Clamp_connection_formation.htm
