Ex 2) Mycorrhizae: mutualism between fungus and plant roots Ex 2) Mycorrhizae: mutualism between fungus and plant roots. Fungi absorbs minerals for the plant and plant provides carbohydrates and amino acids to the fungi.

Reproduction Fungi can reproduce asexually or sexually. Some Fungi can go through asexual AND sexual reproduction. a. Asexual reproduction: Budding, Fragmentation, & Spore formation 1. Budding: New cell develops while attached to the parent cell, then pinches off. Ex) yeast

2. Fragmentation: mycelium is broken off (through digging for example) & grows into a new fungus in a different area 3. Spore Formation: Spores: haploid reproductive cells that are lightweight. Easily carried by wind, or on the fur of animals. Spores travel to new environment. If conditions are favorable, the spores will grow into hyphae & create a new fungus Ex) Puffball Fungi: produces trillions of spores to guarantee some will find favorable conditions to grow

Sexual Reproduction Fungi have plus and minus mating types (not male and female). When the hyphae of a plus fungi meets the hyphae of a minus fungi, the two hyphae fuse and create a genetically diverse fungus

4 phyla of Fungi - classified by structure, and method of reproduction Zygomycota (aka Common Molds): - Common molds found on bread or other food - Mostly terrestrial (found on land) - Use sporangia to produce spores Ex) Rhizopus stolonifer – Bread mold

2. Ascomycota (aka Sac Fungi) Multicellular One unicellular exception – yeast Named for the ascus, a tough sac that contains spores. Ex) Truffles, Morel, Yeast

3. Basidiomycota (aka Club Fungi) Named for a specialized reproductive structure that resembles a club. - The spore-bearing structure is called basidium

4. Deuteromycota (aka Imperfect Fungi) Fungi that do not have a sexual stage are classified in a group called fungi imperfecti, or deuteromycota. They can’t reproduce sexually. Ex) Ring worm, Athlete’s foot, Penicillium, tomato blight fungus

Importance Beneficial Fungi Harmful Fungi Decomposers: Helps recycle nutrients Medications & Antibiotics Food: Mushrooms can be a food source. Yeast used in baking and brewing Bioremediation: Fungi are mixed with water or soil & decompose the organic material in pollutants making them harmless Harmful Fungi Plant Diseases – Mold, Powdery Mildew Human Diseases – Athlete’s foot & Ringworm