What is the Difference Between Dikaryon and Heterokaryon?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚Dikaryon and heterokaryon are both terms used to describe cells that contain two or more genetically distinct nuclei within a common cytoplasm. However, there are some differences between the two:
- Number of nuclei: A dikaryon is a cell that contains precisely two genetically distinct nuclei, while a heterokaryon is a cell that contains two or more genetically distinct nuclei.
- Fungal specificity: Dikaryons are unique to fungi, while heterokaryons can be found in both fungi and slime molds.
In summary, the main differences between dikaryons and heterokaryons are the number of nuclei in the cell and the organisms in which they are found. Dikaryons have two genetically distinct nuclei and are unique to fungi, while heterokaryons have two or more genetically distinct nuclei and can be found in both fungi and slime molds.
Comparative Table: Dikaryon vs Heterokaryon
Here is a table comparing the differences between dikaryon and heterokaryon:
Feature | Dikaryon | Heterokaryon |
---|---|---|
Definition | A cell containing exactly two genetically distinct nuclei. | A cell containing two or more genetically distinct nuclei. |
Occurrence | Fungal cells. | Cells of fungi and slime molds. |
Number of Nuclei | Contains precisely two nuclei. | Contains two or more nuclei. |
Sexual Reproduction | Dikaryon is a stage in the sexual life cycle of some fungi, such as Basidiomycota and Ascomycota. | Heterokaryon is a more general term that includes dikaryon and other cases with multiple nuclei. |
Both dikaryon and heterokaryon are stages in the sexual life cycles of some fungi, but dikaryon specifically refers to a cell with two genetically distinct nuclei, while heterokaryon refers to a cell with two or more such nuclei.
- Protoplast vs Heterokaryon
- Dikaryotic vs Diploid
- Karyokinesis vs Cytokinesis
- Heterochromatin vs Euchromatin
- Haploid vs Diploid
- Eukaryotic vs Prokaryotic
- Homonuclear vs Heteronuclear Diatomic Molecules
- Eukaryotic Cells vs Prokaryotic Cells
- Genetic Material of Prokaryotes vs Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic DNA
- Monohybrid vs Dihybrid Crosses
- Homospory vs Heterospory
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Cell Division
- Plasmogamy vs Karyogamy
- Homodimer vs Heterodimer
- Dichogamy vs Herkogamy
- Bacteria vs Eukaryotes
- Prokaryotic vs Eukaryotic Genome
- Cytokinesis vs Mitosis