Kingdom Fungi Biology 11

Kingdoms Review:

What is a fungus? A eukaryotic, multicellular, heterotrophic organism that does not have chlorophyll. Mycology = study of fungi

Structure: The main body of most fungi is made up of fine, branching, usually colourless threads called hyphae. Each fungus will have vast numbers of these hyphae, all intertwining to make up a tangled web called the mycelium.

Structure: Fruiting bodies (such as mushrooms) are made up of thick collections of hyphae. Fruiting bodies can produces spores

Ecological Importance: Decomposers: recycle nutrients (often called saprobes or saprophytes) Parasites: feed on living organisms Symbiosis: mutualistic relationships Ex. lichens and mycorrhizae

How fungi feed: Extracellular digestion: As the hyphae grow across a food surface, they release digestive chemicals These chemical break large organic molecules into smaller molecules The smaller molecules diffuse into the fungi

How Fungi Reproduce: Most fungi can reproduce with asexual or sexual reproduction Fragmentation: (asexual) when a piece of hyphae brakes off, a new piece can grow back Spores: windblown reproductive cells that help fungi disperse to new locations Spore can be asexual or sexual

Diversity of Fungi: Over 100,000 species of fungi 4 phyla Classified according to their reproductive structures

1. Phylum Zygomycota: Example: bread molds Spores for reproduction Sporangia (a spore case) Hyphae grow into the food source

2. Phylum Ascomycota: Sac fungi Produce a sac-like reproductive structure called an ascus Examples: Morels and truffles (for eating) Yeast (only unicellular fungi) Athlete's foot, ringworm Plant diseases: Dutch elm and ergot

Scarlet cup http://www.mykoweb.com/photos/large/Sarcoscypha_coccinea(mgw-01).jpg

Yeast

Morel

3. Phylum Basidiomycota: Club Fungi Examples includes mushrooms, shelf fungi and puffballs Produce spore in a club shaped structure called basidia The basidia are located under the cap in the gills

http://www.mykoweb.com/photos/large/Lycoperdon(mgw-01).jpg

Jack-o-lantern fungi http://www.mykoweb.com/photos/large/Omphalotus_olivascens(mgw-01).jpg

Amanita muscaria extremely poisonous! http://www.mykoweb.com/photos/large/Amanita_muscaria(mgw-03).jpg

4. Deuteromycota (Imperfect Fungi) Reproduces asexual only Many are used in food production, such as cheeses and soy sauce Examples are Penicillium and Aspergillis Causes lung disease in humans Developed penicillin the antibiotic from this

Aspergillis

Lichens Mutualistic relationship (both benefit from living together) between a fungi and a cyanobacteria or algae Fungi provides shelter and moisture and photosynthetic partner provides the food Importance: food source for Arctic animals(caribou,etc) pioneer organisms in primary succession indicator for air pollution

Pseudocyphellaria aurata, "green specklebelly", on the bark of a plane tree in the mountains of Tennessee. In Madagascar, a tea made from this lichen is used to treat indigestion. http://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Paurata.html

Cetrelia chicitae ("sea-storm lichen") on mossy rock, north shore of Lake Superior, Ontario. http://www.lichen.com/bigpix/Cchicitae.html

Complete “Three types of Fungi” diagrams together