FUNGI

why are mushrooms not plants?

Features of fungi eukaryotic, mostly multicellular; terrestrial; have thin filaments called hyphae;

Features of fungi cell walls made of chitin; heterotrophic reproduce by spores (mushroom caps is the reproductive part of the plant, usually don’t see the rest) can reproduce sexually or asexually

How fungi obtain nutrients instead of a stomach, fungi digest food by secreting enzymes outside their bodies, then absorb the digested nutrients; decomposers help return nutrients to soil and air; hyphae provide a large surface area for absorption

Four divisions of fungi classified by reproductive structures

1. zygomycetes bread mold; form zygospores - thick walled zygote; then stalks with spores

2. ascomycetes yeasts, mildews, morels, truffles; form sacs of spores which burst open

3. basidiomycetes common mushrooms; form club like reproductive structures which release spores

Ecological and economic importance of fungi mycorrhizae were important in plant evolution lichens important in soil formation, indicator of acid rain or air quality useful in bread

4. deuteromycetes Roquefort cheese, athlete’s foot; reproductive structures are unclear or unknown

Ecological and economic importance of fungi antibiotics - penicillin cyclosporine - immune suppresser useful to transplant patients yeast are good genetic engineering subjects