Two mushrooms get invited to a party… Because they are fungi’s…..

Role of Fungi in Nature They are THE decomposers Heterotrophs, obtain food by extra-cellular digestion Secrete enzymes onto their food and adsorb the molecules

Structure Basic element is the hypha (hyphae) Long filament-like cells; can have several nuclei Cottony mass of hyphae is a mycelium This is the digestion “organ” Mycelium makes a fruiting body (mushroom) when conditions are right

Classification Based on life cycles There are five phyla: Zygomycetes (bread molds) Ascomycetes (mildews, molds, truffles and yeasts) Basidiomycetes (mushrooms, puff balls, bracket fungi, rusts) Chytridomycota (aqautic decomposers) Deuteromycetes (Imperfect fungi)

Life cycle of bread mold Life cycle of bread mold (handout) Also see page 620

Reproduction Asexual and Sexual reproduction is used Asexual Sexual Produce spores or hyphae fragments Blown by the wind and germinate in suitable spot Sexual Hyphae of opposite mating types fuse Nuclei fuse and undergo meiosis Haploid spores are produced

Yeast Not a typical ascomycetes because the fruiting body is very tiny What do we use yeasts for?

Mushrooms The above ground structure of the basidiomycetes The gills underneath contain the spores Each mushroom contains about 1 million spores Mycelium underground can be several meters in diameter The Fairy Ring (or Circle)

Fungi Imperfect Only use asexual reproduction Athlete’s foot, ringworm and penicillin

Lichens Example of mutualism (symbiotic beneficial relationship) Fungus and Algae together; grow on trees and rocks Fungus gives water and minerals from the surface it’s on Algae gives photosynthesis (organic substances) Diagram on page 623