Kingdom Fungi

Eukaryotic Heterotrophs (decomposers) Cell walls made of chitin –Complex carbohydrate also found in the external skeletons of insects.

Food Digest food outside their bodies and then absorb it. –Many feed on decaying matter, others are parasites.

Body Composition Composed of thin filaments called hyphae that are only one cell thick. Bodies composed of many hyphae tangled together into a thick mass called a mycelium that grows beneath the soil.

Reproduction Fruiting bodies are the reproductive structures –we recognize these as a mushroom. –grow from the mycelium. Reproduce both sexually and asexually. Produce spores that allow it to spread easily.

Fungal Structure

Phylum Zygomycota: The Common Molds Molds that grow on meat, cheese, bread, etc. Life cycle includes a zygospore – resting spore that contains zygotes formed during sexual reproduction. Forms two types of hyphae: –Rhizoids – rootlike hyphae that anchor the fungus to the host –Stolons – stem-like hyphae that run along the surface of the host

Phylum Ascomycota: The Sac Fungi Named for ascus – sac shaped reproductive structure that contains spores Largest phylum of the fungal kingdom Contains large fungi (cup fungi) and microscopic fungi (yeasts)

Phylum Basidiomycota: The Club Fungi Named for the basidium – club-shaped reproductive structures that contain spores and are found on the underside of mushroom caps Include mushrooms, shelf fungi, puffballs, earthstars, jelly fungi, and plant parasites.

Phylum Deuteromycota: The Imperfect Fungi Extremely varied phylum Contains organisms that don’t fit in the other three phyla Appear to reproduce asexually only Most common imperfect fungi: Penicillium notatum No longer a recognized phylum, but not all organisms previously classified in this phylum have been placed in other phyla

Ecology of Fungi Considered saprobes – organisms that obtain food from decaying organic matter Can be parasitic: –C–Corn smut –M–Mildew –A–Athlete’s foot –Y–Yeast infection Can be mutualistic: –L–Lichen – relationship between fungus and green algae or cyanobacterium –M–Mychorrizae – relationship between fungus and roots of a plant