Final answer:
The ascus of a spore in the ascomycete life cycle releases eight haploid cells upon germination, after undergoing plasmogamy, karyogamy, meiosis, and mitosis.
Step-by-step explanation:
The ascus of the spore will germinate to release a specific number of haploid cells. In the life cycle of an ascomycete, an important type of fungi, the ascus undergoes several stages before releasing these cells. Initially, plasmogamy occurs, where two compatible nuclei coexist. Following plasmogamy, karyogamy, the fusion of these two nuclei, happens to form a diploid nucleus.
The resultant diploid cell in the ascus undergoes meiosis to produce four haploid nuclei. Each of these nuclei divides once more through mitosis, ultimately generating eight haploid nuclei. These haploid nuclei are each encased in a cell wall to become ascospores. Therefore, an ascus typically releases eight haploid cells upon germination.