THE FUNGUS AMONG US KINGDOM FUNGI

More than just Mushrooms… Club: Typical shape of “mushroom,” with spores on gills

More than just Mushrooms… Club Cup: Spores are in cup instead of gills

More than just Mushrooms… Molds Often found on food and decaying plant material.

More than just Mushrooms… Molds Yeasts Unicellular fungi, reproduces by budding

More than just Mushrooms… Molds Yeast Lichens Grow on rocks and wood, a combination of a fungus and an algae. Mutualistic relationship: algae provide nutrients for the fungus and fungal hyphae hold algae in place

CAP

CAP SCALES

CAP SCALES GILLS

CAP SCALES GILLS RING (ANNULUS)

CAP SCALES GILLS RING (ANNULUS) STALK (STIPE)

CAP SCALES GILLS RING (ANNULUS) STALK (STIPE) CUP (VOLVA)

CAP SCALES GILLS RING (ANNULUS) STALK (STIPE) CUP (VOLVA) MYCELLIUM (HYPHAE)

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Stalk or Stipe Spore Hyphae Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or Stipe Spore Hyphae Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap Spore Hyphae Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap Spore Cell that develops into a new organism Hyphae Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap Spore Cell that develops into a new organism Hyphae Threadlike structure built of fungal cells Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION Cap Covers and protects the gills Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap Spore Cell that develops into a new organism Hyphae Threadlike structure built of fungal cells Mycellium Body of fungus (except spores) made of tangled hyphae

ROLES OF FUNGI: Decomposition Organic material is recycled by bacteria and fungi. It is broken down into its original components like Carbon and Nitrogen.

ROLES OF FUNGI: Decomposition Example: Pilobolus fungi decomposes dung of grazing animals. Unique for its ability to “aim” at the light and “shoot” its spore packet so it will land on grass and be eaten by another grazing animal. The entire life cycle is then repeated.

Pilobolus

Pilobolus

ROLES OF FUNGI: Symbiosis Mycorrhizal Fungi: Symbiotic fungi that live in or around roots of plants. They get food (sugar) from the plant in exchange for water and nutrients. It is estimated that 99.9% of all plants have a fungal partner.

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Benefits of a Fungal Partner

ROLES OF FUNGI: Pathogens Some fungi are parasitic, causing damage or death to plants, animals, and even other fungi! Can cause severe damage to many crop plants including corn, wheat, potatoes, and fruits.

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

ROLES OF FUNGI: Medicines Penicillin: Alexander Fleming discovered that mold could kill bacteria in 1928. During WWII (1940’s) the drug we know today was developed. http://www.pbslearningmedia.org/asset/odys08_vid_discovery/

ROLES OF FUNGI: Medicines New antibiotics are still being derived from fungi by people like Dr. Gary Strobel of Montana State University.

ROLES OF FUNGI: Food Several Mushrooms are used in our food…. Pizza anyone?! Specialty Cheeses like Blue Cheese, Brie, etc. Bread, Beer, and Wine are made with yeast.