The Fungus Kingdom

Welcome to the Fungus Kingdom!  Activity: Watch this video clip and write down all the different references made to fungi  “Fungus Among Us” Video Clip OR “Fungus Among Us” Video Clip  THINK! What types of fungi were mentioned in the clip? Which fungi were beneficial and which were harmful?

Characteristics of Fungi  All fungi share the following characteristics: All fungi have a nucleus All fungi are heterotrophic All fungi reproduce by spores “Characteristics of Fungi” Video Clip THINK! – What were 2 characteristics the video clip mentioned that I didn’t?  Most fungi are multicellular; YEAST are Unicellular  Fungi have cell walls and they are made of CHITIN (unlike plants whose cell walls are made of CELLULOSE).

Structure of Fungi  The bodies of fungi are made up of cell structures called hyphae. Hyphae are threadlike tubes filled with cytoplasm, a nucleus, & surrounded by a cell wall.  Hyphae can be arranged in different ways: Fuzzy looking molds have loose hyphae Mushrooms have tightly packed hyphae. They are packed so tightly it looks solid.  Hyphae can form a large, tangled web called the mycelium. This mycelium can spread out very far and is usually hidden in the soil, wood, or other food source.

Let’s Take a Look at Fungus Structure!  “Structure of Fungi” Video Clip “Structure of Fungi” Video Clip

Obtaining Food  Fungi are heterotrophs meaning that they must seek out their food.  Fungi feed by absorbing food through their hyphae. They do not have stomachs. They must externally digest their food. To do this, fungi secrete acids and enzymes from the hyphae to help break down the food so it can be absorbed. THINK! – Do you know what these mushrooms are called? These are called fairy ring mushrooms. They can be found on lawns where the underground mycelium is absorbing nutrient from the soil. When the fungus uses up its food supply in one location, the mycelium spreads out and looks for more food. This causes a ring to form.

Obtaining Food  Fungi have several ways to obtain their food: Some are decomposers feeding on dead organic material like leaves. Fairy ring mushrooms are decomposers. Some fungi are parasites causing diseases by using living organisms for food. Athlete’s foot and ringworm are two fungal diseases in humans.

Obtaining Food Even still, other fungi can live in an extremely beneficial relationships with other organisms. This is called symbiosis.  A lichen is an association between fungi and algae. The algae gives the fungi food from photosynthesis. The fungi gives the algae protection, water, and minerals.

Relationships between Fungi and Other Organisms!  “Relationships Between Fungi and Other Organisms” Video Clip “Relationships Between Fungi and Other Organisms” Video Clip  “Leaf Cutter Ants and Fungus” Video Clip “Leaf Cutter Ants and Fungus” Video Clip Watch how the ants and the fungus benefit each other FAST FACT: Next time you see this fungus on a tree trunk, you will know what it is!

Reproduction in Fungi  Fungi reproduce by lightweight spores Spores are easily carried by wind or water Only a few of the thousands of spores produced will grow into a new organism  Fungi produce spores in fruiting bodies Mushrooms –The entire part you see is the fruiting body Bread Molds – Stalks grow upward and release spores Mushrooms spores

Reproduction in Fungi  Asexual Reproduction When enough moisture exists, fungi reproduce asexually by releasing spores Unicellular yeast reproduce asexually by budding  Sexual Reproduction In sexual reproduction, the hyphae of two fungi grow together. A new spore producing structure grows from the joined hyphae and produces spores that differ from each parent.

Classification of Fungi  Threadlike Fungi Produces spores in their threadlike hyphae Also called zygote fungi These spores are resistant to harsh conditions Examples:  bread molds  Fruit molds  “Threadlike Fungi” Video Clip “Threadlike Fungi” Video Clip

Classification of Fungi  Sac Fungi Produces spores in structures that look like sacs Examples:  Yeast  Morels  Truffles “Sac Fungi” Video Clip

Classification of Fungi  Club Fungi Produce spores in structures that look like clubs Examples:  25,000 species of mushrooms  Bracket Fungi  Puffballs “Club Fungi” Video Clip

Classification of Fungi  Imperfect Fungi This group of fungi are not known to reproduce sexually Examples:  Penicillium “Imperfect Fungi” Video Clip “Imperfect Fungi” Video Clip THINK! – What is held in the finger-like structures? Spores