Characteristics of Fungi Eukaryotic Multicellular (with some exceptions) Heterotrophic Cell walls made of chitin

Characteristics of Fungi Many fungi are decomposers, getting energy by breaking down dead material. Saprophyte- An organism that lives off of dead decaying material. The visible part of most fungi is only the fruiting body or reproductive structures.

Characteristics of Fungi The main body of fungi consists of a network of filaments called a mycelium.

Characteristics of Fungi The individual filaments are called hyphae.

Characteristics of Fungi Fungi feed through a process of extracellular digestion, where the hyphae release enzymes that break down the material the fungus is feeding on.

Life Cycles of Fungi Alternation of Generations Life-cycle divided into haploid and diploid stages. Haploid- having 1 set of chromosomes (n). Diploid- having 2 sets of chromosomes (2n). Haploid stage is dominant.

Life Cycles of Fungi Fungi also go through a dikaryotic stage (n + n) in which there are 2 nuclei.

Spore- A single cell which can grow into a new organism.

Different phyla have different life-cycles Basidiomycota-