Polymorphism. C. albicans is a polymorphic fungus that can
grow either as ovoid-shaped budding yeast, as elongated ellipsoid
cells with constrictions at the septa (pseudohyphae) or as parallel-
walled true hyphae. Further morphologies include white
and opaque cells, formed during switching, and chlamydospores,
which are thick-walled spore-like structures.While yeast and
true hyphae are regularly observed during infection and have distinct
functions (as discussed below), the role of pseudohyphae
and switching in vivo is rather unclear and chlamydospores have
not been observed in patient samples