Fungus: Friend or Foe?

Fungi Facts 400 Million Years Old Heterotrophic Biodiverse Grow quickly

Structural Information Fungi are made up of tiny slender filaments called hyphae. Cell walls contain chitin. The central core of the fungus is often hidden in the soil, in wood or other food source.

How do fungi survive? Obtain energy and materials from living and dead organisms. Secrete enzymes to break down food outside their bodies. Absorbs nutrients from outside source.

Fungi as Decomposers Help clear dead plants, animals, and other wastes from environment. Return valuable phosphorus, nitrogen, and other nutrients to soil.

Fungi Reproduction Fungi reproduce both asexually and sexually using cells called spores. The part of the fungi you actually see are the spore structures. A fungal spore is able to develop into a new organism.

Spores How do spores move away from the parent plant? What do spores need in order to generate a new organism?

Examples of Fungi Bread and food molds How long does it take for fungus to grow on food? What characteristics favor fungi growth?

Yeasts What do you know about yeast? What is fermentation and what products do we get from it?

Benefits of Fungi Food source Bread Baking Cheese Production Decomposers Medicines Penicillin Cyclosporin

Negative Effects of Fungi Destroy food sources Breakdown plants and grasses Human skin diseases Athlete’s foot Ringworm Endocarditis (heart)

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