Word: Gleba
Part of Speech: Noun
Definition: The word "gleba" refers to the fleshy, spore-bearing inner part of certain types of fungi, such as puffballs and stinkhorns. These fungi release spores, which help them reproduce.
Imagine a mushroom. Some mushrooms have a soft, squishy inside that makes spores. That soft inside is what we call "gleba."
"The gleba of the puffball mushroom bursts open when it's ripe, spreading spores across the forest floor."
In advanced discussions about mycology (the study of fungi), you might hear terms like "glebal structure" when discussing the specific characteristics of the gleba in different species of fungi.
In specialized contexts, "gleba" can refer to the same concept in different types of fungi, but its meaning is consistent in the context of mycology.
"Gleba" is a term used in biology to describe the inner, spore-containing part of certain fungi. It is not commonly used outside scientific contexts.