Fungi
Characteristics eukaryotic multicellular (except yeasts) heterotrophic by absorption (saprophytes – feed on dead organic matter) reproduce sexually & asexually no locomotion cell walls made of chitin classified by sexual reproduction decomposers
hyphae – rootlike structures for absorbing nutrients mycelium - all the hyphae in a fungus, collectively
Fungal structure
Examples Rhizopus (black bread mold) Yeast Mushrooms, puffballs Cup fungus Ringworm fungus, athlete’s foot fungus Truffles, morels
Zygomycota life cycle
Rhizopus
Ascomycota life cycle
Ascomycetes
Yeasts budding
Basidiomycota life cycle
Symbiotic relationships in fungi: 1)Lichens – fungus & alga living together 2) Mycorrhizae – fungi & tree roots living together
Lichens
Importance of fungi: Helpful make antibiotics (penicillin) used in cheese-making (bleu cheese) used in baking industry (yeast) used in alcohol industry (yeast) used as a food source decomposers
Importance of fungi: Harmful: cause disease in humans cause disease in crops cause allergies spoil food