Introduction to Fungi: Evolution, Characteristics and Life Cycle BIOL 1407
Fungi com/video.php?v id=16788http:// com/video.php?v id=16788 Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, Enchanted Rock Field Trip 2005
Characteristics of Fungi Absorptive heterotrophs Cell walls made of chitin No flagella (most) Photo Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL 1407 Bastrop Field Trip 2004
Fungal Hyphae Hyphae –Thread of cells –One cell thick –High surface area to volume ratio
Fungal Hyphae Hyphae –Absorb water, ions, nutrients –Gas exchange –Waste disposal
Hyphal Types Septate Coenocytic
Fungal Body Mycelium Loosely woven mat of hyphae Feeding structure
Reproductive Structures Made of hyphae Different shapes for different fungal groups
Reproductive Structures Make spores, either by mitosis or meiosis Some are called “fruiting bodies”
Heterokaryon Formed after plasmogamy n + n Unfused nuclei from both parents
Dikaryon Special type of heterokaryon Long-lasting As cells divide, cells retain n + n
Fungal Lifestyles Saprobes = Decomposers
Fungal Lifestyles Parasites
Fungal Lifestyles Predators
Fungal Lifestyles Mutualists: Mycorrhizae
Fungal Lifestyles Mutualists: Lichens Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005
Types of Lichens Crustose
Types of Lichens Foliose Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005
Types of Lichens Fruticose Photo Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL 1407 Bastrop Field Trip 2004
Evolution of Fungi Earliest fossil fungi –Fungal spores –460 million years old
Opisthokonts Sister taxon to Fungi: Nucleariids
The End Unless otherwise specified, all images in this presentation came from: Campbell, et al Biology, 8 th ed. Pearson Benjamin Cummings.