Warm-Up Start a new Table of Contents – “Pathogens & Disease” The notes you take will be Session 1 for this new unit! DateSession # ActivityPage # 3/3 & 3/4 1 Fungi Facts 1

Fungi: Helpful or Harmful ? Beneficial Effects of Fungi *Decomposition - nutrient and carbon recycling. *Can be used to produce drugs/antibiotics, alcohol, food *Model organisms for biochemical and genetic studies. Harmful Effects of Fungi *Destruction of food, homes & other materials etc. *Animal, plant and human diseases – can cause food shortages & either direct or indirect deaths *Toxic/poisonous

Characteristics Eukaryotic (has nucleus) Reproduce sexually & asexually (producing spores) They prefer dark, moist environments Fungi get food by… *Secreting enzymes that break down food outside of themselves and then they absorb the nutrients *Decomposing dead organisms *Symbiotic relationships with another organism…sometimes they are the parasite!

Common Fungal Diseases Ringworm Athletes Foot Fungal nail infections Yeast infections or Thrush Jock Itch Allergies Respiratory issues or lung damage

Less Common Fungal Diseases Other less common fungal diseases are caused by contact with fungi in different types of soil or large amounts of bird or bat droppings! Visit the CDC website to learn more about other fungal diseases and why it is a growing global problem at: /

Recent Outbreaks: Valley Fever Open an Internet browser window and copy and paste the link below to learn more about this Fungal Disease… contributing-to-the-spread-of-valley-fever/ contributing-to-the-spread-of-valley-fever/ Answer the questions on the back of your note guide

On the Rise: Histoplasmosis Open an Internet browser window and copy and paste the link below to learn more about this Fungal Disease… portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is- histoplasmosis-infections-caused-by- histoplasma-capsulatum.html portal.com/academy/lesson/what-is- histoplasmosis-infections-caused-by- histoplasma-capsulatum.html Answer the questions on the back of your note guide

Spread Airborne – spores spread easily in the air and can be inhaled (allergies, respiratory/lung issues) Moist surfaces – damp, wet areas that are not cleaned or dried properly (athlete’s foot) Physical contact – can be spread easily from person to person contact or contact with unclean surfaces (ringworm) Food-borne – eating moldy food can make you sick or cause an allergic reaction, but THIS IS NOT FOOD POISONING!

Prevention Good hygiene – keeping your skin clean and dry Proper air filtration Control moisture in living environments Protecting yourself from contaminated surfaces or air – wearing shower shoes, gloves, masks etc.

Treatment Drugs called antimycotic drugs Anti-fungal medications usually in the form of creams, sprays, ointments, washes or among other topical treatments Resistance to fungal medications is on the rise!