A germ tube is an outgrowth produced by spores of spore-releasing fungi during germination.
The germ tube differentiates, grows, and develops by mitosis to create somatic hyphae.
A germ tube test is a diagnostic test in which a sample of fungal spores are suspended in serum and examined by microscopy for the detection of any germ tubes. It is particularly indicated for colonies of white or cream color on fungal culture, where a positive germ tube test is strongly indicative of Candida albicans.
Famous quotes containing the words germ and/or tube:
“I care not by what measure you end the war. If you allow one single germ, one single seed of slavery to remain in the soil of America, whatever may be your object, depend upon it, as true as effect follows cause, that germ will spring up, that noxious weed will thrive, and again stifle the growth, wither the leaves, blast the flowers, and poison the fair fruits of freedom. Slavery and freedom cannot exist together.”
—Ernestine L. Rose (1810–1892)
“Even crushed against his brother in the Tube the average Englishman pretends desperately that he is alone.”
—Germaine Greer (b. 1939)