FUNGI

FUNGI – Characteristics 1) Fungi are: Eukaryotic Heterotrophic Non-photosynthetic organisms Unicellular or multicellular in form Electron micrograph of a nematode being trapped by fungal rings.

Obtaining Nutrients 2) Fungi are among the most important decomposers of organic matter. 3) Fungi obtain nutrients by secreting enzymes and absorbing simple organic molecules from their environment.

Structure of Fungi 4) Fungi are made up of short filaments called hyphae. Mats of hyphae are called mycelium.

Body Structure of Fungi 5-6) Some species have partitions called septa in their hyphae, making individual cells. 7) Fungal cell walls contain chitin rather than cellulose, which is found in plant cell walls.

Reproduction – Most fungi reproduce both asexually and sexually. Asexual Reproduction 8) Asexually, fungi produce thousands of genetically identical haploid spores, usually on modified cells of the hyphae. When these spores are placed in favorable environmental conditions, they germinate and grow new hyphae, each of which can form a mycelium and produce thousands of new asexual spores.

Reproduction 9) Sexual Reproduction Fungi occur in mating types that are sometimes called minus (-) and plus (+). When two different mating types of the same species encounter one another, the hyphae of one mating type fuse with the hyphae of the opposite mating type. These fused hyphae give rise to a specialized structure (zygospore), which produces and scatters genetically diverse spores.

Evolution 10) Fungi evolved about 460 million years ago. 11) Fungi evolved from a single-celled, flagellated aquatic protist that then adapted to various terrestrial environments.

CLASSIFICATION OF FUNGI

Phylum Zygomycota 1) The phylum Zygomycota is coenocytic (their hyphae lack septa). Asexual sporangiospores form within sacs called sporangia. Sexual reproduction results in zygospores.

Bread Mold (Zygomycetes) Asexual 2 Sexual

Phylum Basidiomycota 3) The phylum Basidiomycota includes mushrooms. Mushrooms are spore-bearing, aboveground sexual reproductive structures called basidiocarps. Basidiocarps produce small, club-like reproductive structures called basidia, on which basidiospores form.

Structure of a Mushroom 4

Cordyceps Video Phylum Ascomycota 5) Most fungi are in the phylum Ascomycota, or sac fungi. Hyphae form a cup-shaped ascocarp, in which ascospores form. Yeast are unicellular Ascomycota and they reproduce asexually by budding. Yeast are used in brewing, baking, and genetic engineering.

Phylum Deuteromycota 6) Fungi that do not have a sexual stage are classified in a group called fungi imperfecti, or deuteromycota.

Mycorrhizae and Lichens 7) Mycorrhizae are symbiotic structures that form between plant roots and a fungus. The fungus provides certain ions and other nutrients to the plant and, in turn, the fungus gets sugars from the plant.

Mycorrhizae and Lichens 8) Lichens represent symbiotic relationships between two types of fungi and algae (a photosynthetic organism) Down a microscope, a lichen looks like a loaf of ciabatta: it has a stiff, dense crust surrounding a spongy, loose interior. The alga is embedded in the thick crust. The familiar ascomycete fungus is there too, but it branches inwards, creating the spongy interior. And the basidiomycetes? They’re in the outermost part of the crust, surrounding the other two partners. “They’re everywhere in that outer layer,” says Spribille. “We now see that they require two different kinds of fungi and an algal species. If the right combination meet together on a rock or twig, then a lichen will form, and this will result in the large and complex plant-like organisms that we see on trees and rocks very commonly.  The mechanism by which this symbiotic association occurs is completely unknown and remains a real mystery.” https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2016/07/how-a-guy-from-a-montana-trailer-park-upturned-150-years-of-biology/491702/ I’m lichen your style.

FUNGUS AND HUMANS

Human Fungal Diseases Athlete’s Foot 1) Fungi can cause disease in humans when humans: inhale airborne spores eat food contaminated by toxic fungi their skin comes in contact with toxic fungi accidentally eat poisonous mushrooms Death Cap

Human Fungal Diseases 2) Common Fungal Infections: ringworm, athlete’s foot, and yeast infection

Fungi in Industry 3) Various fungi are used in the production of: vitamin B2 cortisone penicillin other antibiotics some genetically engineered drugs Microorgansims like fungi can be cultivated in the laboratory and stimulated with distinct substances for production of antibiotic metabolic products.

Fungi and Food Industries 4) Fungi are used in the production of familiar foods such as: Cheeses Bread Beer Wines Soy products