Ascomycota Liz Kramer

Terms Hyphae- tube-like structures, basic unit of ascomycota Mycelium- mass of hyphae (mold) Septa- parts of the hyphae in the the cell wall, keeps cytoplasm in and gives stability

Fungi Decomposers Eukaryotes Non-vascular Reproduce by spores in most cases Have cell walls kind of like plants, except theirs are made of chitin Heterotrophic (they have to feed on other things to survive) Plants walls are made of cellulose

Fungi-Ascomycota Ascomycota is a phylum under fungi Largest phylum Has over 64,000 species in it Has asexual and sexual reproducing members All of it’s members trace back to a common ancestor Can either be one-celled, or in chains of connected cells called hyphae Found everywhere in the world, including Antarctica Highly diverse! Some species (the white truffel) can only be found in certain places

Ascomycota Characteristics They have septa Give hyphae structure cross walls in the spores sometimes many of them have an ascus A lot of things under this classification are in a “sac” like shape. Conidiospores in asexually reproducing organisms Sac like, giving them the name “sac fungi”, septa provide cytoplasm loss, provide protection

Asexual Reproduction Responsible for rapid reproduction Occurs through reproductive spores called conidia. Conidiospores are released They form tubes of hyphae They grow into each other and fuse to make mycelia Conidiophores are a distinct characteristic of Ascomycota

Asexual repro. Continued.. Budding Used by yeast Split off from parent Grow until they are the same size Then repeat process Some yeasts can reproduce by fission, but not very many

Conidiophores Can produce masses of spores Sometimes the spores are called mitospores, because they are produced through mitosis Spores released through a small opening, called the ostiole Used in asexual reproduction

Conidia are always in the air, it can be dangerous to people with weak immune systems Conidiophore of penicillium , chain of conidia

Sexual Reproduction! Ascogonium forms passage to antheridium, the nuclei are transferred and split and form lots of them

Didn’t get all that? Each ascocarp (the main reproductive structure of many ascomycota) has zygotes These diploid zygotes undergo meiosis and mitosis to form many haploid cells These cells are called spores The spores are sent into the ground, or blown wherever There are two types of spores, positive and negative Spores of same types form together to make chains of hyphae The opposite types of hyphae can then form together to make another reproducing ascocarp Almost all nuclei are haploid, in sexual repro. There is one diploid stage, but then they are separated

Ascocarp

Eating habits!! Eat dead biomass (plants, anything organic) Sometimes eat living organisms To do this they produce strong digestive enzymes Break things down into tiny molecules Absorb them through the cell wall One species (Amorphotheca resinae) eats airplane fuel

Forming relationships Many ascomycota form symbiotic relationships with different organisms including Plant roots Lichens Plant stems or leaves Symbiotic relationships mean both benefit So ascomycota aren’t only important decomposers, they are also important for other organisms to survive

3 Sub Phylums Pezizomycotina Largest subphylum Contains truffles, cup fungi, caterpillar fungi, and black molds reproduce by fission Almost all can be seen by the human eye A 3.3 pound white truffle was sold somewhere in Europe for $330,000 Pretty much anything that produces a fruiting ascocarp Scientific Name Physcia

Saccharomycotina Contains yeast Ex. Bakers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae Reproduce by budding (asexual) Single celled Yeasts are important for the food industry! Not all yeasts reproduce by budding, some use fission but they are classified under a different subphylum

Taphrinomycotina Contains hyphal fungi, and mammalian lung parasite Also contains yeast that reproduce by fission Mammalian lung parasite is pneumocystis, causes pneumonie

Harmful Ascomycota Can be harmful to plants, humans or animals Cause ringworm and athlete’s foot Everyday molds are classified under this phylum One type of ascomycota is known to cause Dutch Elm disease

Helpful Ascomycota Truffels and morels make edible ascocarps that are prized and most are expensive to buy! Yeast is used for alcohol and leavened bread penecillium, can be made into the antibiotic penicillin Finish this slide!

Review!  What two ways can ascomycota reproduce by? Sexually, and asexually What is the main sexual reproductive structure in ascomycota? The ascocarp There are 3 subphylums of Ascomycota Ascomycota are important decomposers They can break down almost anything Ascomycota is the largest phylum of fungi

Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphrinomycotina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pezizomycotina http://tolweb.org/Pezizomycotina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saccharomycotina http://www.palaeos.org/Saccharomycotina http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascomycota http://tolweb.org/tree?group=Ascomycota&contgroup=Fungi http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asexual_reproduction http://www.atsu.edu/faculty/chamberlain/Website/Lects/Fungi.htm#hy http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Truffle_(fungus) http://www.uwlax.edu/biology/volk/fungi3/sld010.htm http://www.wrongdiagnosis.com/medical/ascomycota.htm