False-colour scanning electron micrograph (SEM) of a culture of the dermatophyte fungus, Microsporum canis. The filamentous structures visible arehyphae, the vegetative elements of the fungus. Fungal growth is usually confined to the tips of hyphae, where asexual reproduction occurs by spore formation. The species Microsporum audouini inhabits human skin & hair, causing ringworm of the scalp (Tinea capitis). Some species of Microsporum produce penicillin as a by-product of `metabolism. Magnification: X 530 at 35mm size.