Kingdom Fungi

The Basics Like a plant –STATIONARY Like an animal –HETEROTROPHIC Like plants, animals, and protists – EUKARYOTIC Cell walls made of –CHITIN

Basic Structure Hyphae- thin filaments making up a fungus (some called rhizoids help to anchor the fungus) Mycelium- mass of tangled filaments (hyphae); most of these are in soil or embedded in host’s tissue Fruiting body­- reproductive structure; what you see Spores- thick-walled; located at tips of some hyphae; for reproduction

Reproduction Fragmentation Budding Spores –Asexual –Sexual –Evolutionary advantage why? Fungi are classified according to the way they reproduce/ make spores

Zygote Fungi Phylum Zygomycota Example: bread mold Specialized hyphae form 2 different organisms which fuse to form a zygote Most are saprobes- feed on dead tissue and organic matter Return valuable materials to soil & atmosphere

Decomposers- break down complex organic matter into smaller components Saprobes- feed on dead tissue and organic matter –Formerly called saprophytes –Examples: Fungi Bacteria Detritivores- feed on non-living organic matter –Are scavengers the same thing? –Examples: Earthworms Mites Millipedes Some beetles Consumers? ? ?

Zygote Fungi

Club Fungi Phylum Basidiomycota ex. Mushrooms, puffballs Club-shaped basidia make spores Saprobes Some can be eaten

Club Fungi

Sac/ Cup Fungi Phylum Ascomycota ex. Yeasts, mildews, molds Specialized sac-like structure called an ascus produces spores Heterotrophic parasites Brewing, baking, penicillin, scientific research

Sac/ Cup Fungi

Imperfect Fungi Phylum Deuteromycota Examples: Penicillium, those responsible for athlete’s foot & ringworm No known sexual stage Some used to make soy sauce and some blue cheeses

Lichens A combo (2-part) organism often on rocks or tree trunks 2 organisms are in a mutualistic relationship- both benefit –Fungus- provides protection, receives nourishment –Blue-green bacteria OR green alga- provides nourishment (it is autotrophic), receives protection Uses –Food for animals –Create soil- the acid in a lichen can break through rocks

Mycorrizhae Plants + fungi in a mutualistic relationship –Fungi get nutrients from plant roots –Plants get increased surface area from fungi, allowing them more water and minerals

Good and Bad Things About Fungi The Good –Decomposers (nutrient cycling) –Some medicines Penicillin –Some food Blue cheese Mushrooms –Habitat The Bad –Some poisonous –Some parasitic –Some disease-causing Athlete’s foot Ringworm Yeast infections/ jock itch