Fungi
Fungi General Characteristics Eukaryote Threadlike bodies (hyphae) Cell walls made of chitin Heterotrophic decomposers or saprobes (absorb nutrients from dead organisms) Classified based on reproductive structures
HYPHAE
Evolutionary Relationships Oldest fungi fossil are found between 450-500 mil years Characteristics suggest that fungi originated from an unknown group of single-celled eukaryotes lacking flagella
Phylum/Division Name Common Name Reproduction Examples a. Zygomycota Zygote fungi Sexual - Zygospores Black bread mold (Rhizopus stolonifer) b. Ascomycota Sac Fungi Sexual-spores in asci Cup morels; yeast; Plant disease = Dutch Elm & Chestnut Blight c. Basidiomycota Club Fungi Sexual-Spores on basidia Mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs Pathogens - rusts, smuts d. Deuteromycota e. Chytridiomycota Imperfect fungi Chytrids Sexual – None Sexual-Chytrid spores Causes athlete's foot, ring worm Similar to fungus-like protist
Black Bread Mold - Rhizopus
SAC FUNGI Yeast
Club Fungi
Deuteromycota - Imperfect
CHYTRID
Plant vs Fungi Similarities Differences Both are anchored in the soil Both have cell walls Differences Fungi have NO true roots, stems, or leaves Fungi are heterotrophs; NO photosynthesis
Fungi Feeding Relationships Saprobes or decomposers (mushroom) Parasites (athlete's foot) Mutualists (lichen)
Mushrooms Mushroom = sexual reproductive structure Formed from buttons just under the soil that absorb lots of water = “overnight appearance” Fairy rings - mushrooms spores fall to the ground in a circular pattern
FAIRY RING
Fungi & Ecology BOTH (monera) and fungi are major decomposers Mycorrhizae: Mutualism between a fungus and plant roots; plants gets increased nutrients & fungi gets carbohydrates (food)
MYCORRHIZHAE
NOTE: Lots of lichen = little air pollution FUNGI & ECOLOGY (CONT) Lichen: Mutualism between fungus & algae or cyanobacteria; fungus gets carbs (food) & partner gets nutrients & protection NOTE: Lots of lichen = little air pollution Lichen converts rock into soil = pioneering species
LICHEN
Benefits to Humans Food (truffles, mushrooms, baking; making cheese and wine, soy sauce) Medicine (penicillin; cortisol) Genetic engineering = yeast used to make Hep B Vaccine Alternative fuels = yeast makes gasohol Pesticides
Problems to Humans Poisonous Edible and poisonous mushrooms may look exactly alike Parasitic fungi cause plant diseases (Chestnut Blight, Dutch Elm) Athletes foot & vaginal yeast infection Saprobic fungi cause: - food spoilage