Phylum: Basidiomycota Also known as the club fungi Most familiar of the phylum to people Most of its life cycle is spent under ground, growing just under the surface When it is time to reproduce, they grow a basidiocarp, which we commonly call a mushroom

Basidiocarps consist of a stalk & a cap The underside of the cap is covered with gills The spores are produced in the gills and are released when they are mature

Phylum: Ascomycota Also called sac fungi or yeast Live in many places: fresh water, salt water & on land & most are parasitic Most of the time reproduce asexually through a process called budding

Mycorrhizae A mycorrhizae is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus & plant roots Symbiotic means that both benefit from the relationship More than 80% of all plants contain mycorrhizae in & on their roots The fungus attracts minerals for the plant The plant gives sugars from photosynthesis to the fungus in return

Lichens Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus & a green algae The fungus provides moisture, shelter & anchorage for the algae The algae provides food from photosynthesis in return to the fungus Together, they produce acids that break down rocks & make new soil

Fungus & humans Allergies: mold spores in the air can cause allergies in humans Ringworm: fungal infection of the skin causes round, raised spots The dry flaky skin on top is full of fungal spores which then infect others who come into contact with it

Athlete’s foot: ringworm of the foot Candidiasis: yeast infection of the mouth Sometimes called ‘thrush’ Usually seen in young children or older people with weak immune systems

Histoplasmosis: when inhaled causes severe lung illness that resembles tuberculosis Fever, chills, body aches, chest pain, nonproductive cough, occasionally with bloody discharge While the immune system is busy fighting off the lung infection, it quickly moves to other organs, like the liver

Aspergillosis: the Aspergillus fungus is very common fungus that lives in grains it produces a toxin called aflatoxin which causes liver cancer when ingested Farmers must be very careful to prevent their crops from being contaminated by Aspergillus

Fungus in industry Penicillium: produces penicillin Cephalosporim: produce cephalosporin antibiotics Rhizopus: produces cortisone that is used as an anti-inflammatory medicine Yeasts are used to make vaccines & performance fuels for race cars, airplanes, etc.