aseptate

[ ey-sep-teyt ]

adjective

, Botany, Mycology.

1. without a separating wall or membrane.

aseptate

/ eɪˈsɛpteɪt /

adjective

1. biology not divided into cells or sections by septa

Word History and Origins

Origin of aseptate¹

a- ⁶ + septate

Example Sentences

The young trophozoites (aseptate) are attached to the intestinal cells, but practically entirely extracellular.

From Project Gutenberg

More About Aseptate

What does aseptate mean?

Aseptate describes a cell as lacking a cell wall or cell membrane.

Aseptate is a biological term that can describe any cell or microorganism that is lacking a cell wall or membrane. Most plant cells, fungi, and photosynthetic microorganisms have cell walls, while most animal cells and omnivorous microorganisms have cell membranes. Both of these are referred to as septate cells or organisms. 

But there are some microorganisms and cell clusters that lack a wall or membrane. These are called aseptate cells or organisms. Most aseptate cells are found in the fungi family.

Example: The aseptate fungi provides different levels in tests than its septate cousin.

Where does aseptate come from?

It’s not known when aseptate was first used. It combines the prefix a-, meaning “not” or “without,” and septate, meaning “divided by a septum or septa.” The first records of the term septate come from around the 1840s.

Aseptate is most often used in the phrase aseptate hyphae. Hyphae are the thin lines of cells that make up the mycelium, or flesh, of fungi. Within each hypha are organelles and cells that work together to accomplish the functions of the fungi.  Some mycelium is made up of septate hyphae, meaning that each cell in the hyphae is divided by a cell wall. These cell walls are connected in a cross pattern known as septa. Other fungi will have aseptate hyphae, meaning there is no septa present and that all of the cells and organelles are connected as one in the hypha.

Did you know … ?

What are some words that share a root or word element with aseptate? 

• septate
• septum
• septa

What are some words that often get used in discussing aseptate?

• botany
• cell wall
• cell membrane
• mycology

How is aseptate used in real life?

Aseptate is used almost exclusively in the fields of botany, biology, and mycology.

When diagnosing mucromycosis from tissue, it is important to look at the whole picture. Presence of a septation here or there is not a deal breaker. They tend to be pauci-septate not necessarily aseptate.

— Shmuel Shoham (@ShohamTxID) December 31, 2019

Looking at your Starbucks cup & your first thought is that the drawing looks like aseptate hyphae. Microbio probs 😅

— Ahsoka (@moodymel_) November 14, 2016

Q6: Tissue bx reveals broad, irregular, ribbon-like aseptate hyphae and right angle branching. What is the most likely diagnosis? #IMConf

— knowmedge (@knowmedge) February 2, 2014

Updated on February 27, 2023

Try using aseptate!

True or False?

In fungi with aseptate hyphae, all of the cells and organelles are connected as one.