Kingdom Fungi Characteristics similar to all Fungi: All eukaryotic Heterotrophic Multicellular (except yeast) Are not motile

Why are Fungi not Plants? Similarities: Differences: Do not move Grow like plants edible Lack chlorophyll (chloroplast) Do not perform photosynthesis Reproduce by spores Fungal cell walls are made of chitin (like crab shells); plant cell walls made of cellulose

Anatomy of Fungi Bodies of fungi consist of long strands called hyphae Hyphae weave together to form mycelium and is found underground some hyphae have septa which separate Fruiting body is the reproductive structure

Fungi Nutrition Heterotrophic Fungi secrete enzymes that attack carbon containing organisms, and digest them Fungi can be one of 4: Saprophyte: digests dead organisms Decomposer: Feeds on dead organic material Predator: hunts other organisms Parasites: lives in or on a host feeding off its nutrients

Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually! Fungi Reproduction Asexual Reproduction Sexual Reproduction Occurs when one parent produces offspring without the genes from another individual. Identical copy Two parents contribute genetic material to the offspring Genetically unique offspring Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually!

Four Main Types of Asexual Reproduction Some undergo mitosis Some yeast fungi reproduce by “budding” Some fungi grow from mycelium Most by spores

Asexual Reproduction Spores contain a nucleus and dehydrated cytoplasm Spores are released from the fruiting body Dispersed via wind, animals, insects, water Cytoplasm will absorb water to rehydrate and forms hyphae Hyphae will twine to form mycelium

Sexual Reproduction Divided into 4 main groups Similarity between groups: there are no male or female “+” mating type and “-” mating type Fertilization occurs when hyphae from a plus meet hyphae from a minus

Four Groups of Fungi Primitive Fungi: Phylum Chytridiomycota Sac Fungi: Phylum Ascomycota Bread Molds: Phylum Zygomycota Club Fungi: Phylum Basidiomycota

Impacts of Fungi Recycle nutrients Form associations with lichens Food Produce antibiotics (Penicillian) Some cause disease

Lichens Symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi Lichens absorb chemical nutrients from the air Can grow anywhere

Mycorrhizae Mutualistic Between fungi and plant roots Fungal hyphae act as a root extension which increases the plants surface area Increases water uptake More disease resistant

Diseases Caused by Fungi Dutch Elm Disease: Human Diseases: Kills an elm in as little as 3 weeks Clogs its water conducting vessels Spread in SK by the elm bark beetle during its breeding period Athlete’s foot Ring worm Yeast infections

Beneficial Fungi Yeast for baking bread This causes the bread to rise Digests sugar in bread and produces CO2 This causes the bread to rise Adds flavors to cheese Edible mushrooms found in the grocery stores

Penicillin Alexander Fleming 1928 He was trying treat syphilis Active ingredients in mold turned out to be an infection-fighting agent Found that the Staphylococcus bacteria grew everywhere except for the area surrounding the moldy contaminant