Schizosaccharomyces -the vegetative reproduction in this genus is mainly by fission. Mount a small portion of a colony of S. octosporus and observe under the microscope. The vegetative cells are hyaline and tend to be elongate. Observe dividing cells. Also look for various stages in cell conjugation and ascus formation.
Mature asci are elongate and usually contain eight one-celled ascospores.
Hansenula -the shape of the ascospores of this genus is different from the more common circular shapes of the two genera above. Mount a colony of H. saturnus and look for asci containing ascospores and discover for yourself why it was given its name. We will also project on the TV screen some live cells of the above species and hopefully be able to watch the yeats in action, budding and release of ascospores. The Taphrinales includes species in which the ascus arises from binucleate cells that form directly from the mycelium. The asci are erumpent through the host epidermis and are borne free on the host.