Kingdom Fungi There are four main characteristics of Fungi 1) fungi are eukaryotic they have nuclei in each cell (some are dikaryotic) & mitochondria 2) they are heterotrophs they depend on other organisms for food 3) most of them are multi-cellular 4) they cannot move on their own

It is important to remember that fungi are NOT plants! As you can see on this phylogenetic tree, fungi have been proven to be more closely related to animals than any other kingdom of living organisms. Fungi Phylogeny

Fungi are different from plants in several ways 1) fungi lack chlorophyll - fungi are not photosynthetic - cannot produce their own food 2) they do not reproduce using seeds 3) most fungi have cell walls made of chitin - Plant cell walls are made of cellulose - Except molds - molds have cell walls made of cellulose Fungi Phylogeny

Structure and Function The part of the fungus that we see is only the “fruit” of the organism. This is used for reproduction. The body of the fungus is called the mycellium. Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Authorized. Y_tambe. Retrieved on July from Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain Access.

hypha – singular hyphae – plural mycellium – a large mass of hyphae Hyphae are a network of thin thread-like structures that form the main living body of a fungus. Stolons and Rhizoids are types of Hyphae. Stolons run above the surface of the medium. Rhizoids run below the surface of the medium Y_tambe. Retrieved on July from Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain Access. Structure and Function

Spores contained in structures called sporangiophores are the reproductive structure of fungi. They develop into a single hyphae, which then grows to form a mass of hyphae called mycellium single hypha Mass of hyphae (mycelium) Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Authorized. Structure and Function sporangiophore

Sporangium fungi reproduce by producing spores that are stored in structures found on the tips of the hyphae called sporangium. EX: Vegetable Mold Vegetable mold produces sporangia that stick up above the vegetable There are 4 Main Types of Fungi: 1. Sporangium Fungi/Mold2. Club Fungi 3. Sac Fungi4. Imperfect Fungi 1.Sporangium Fungi/Mold Algont. Retrieved on July from Wikimedia Commons. Public Domain Acess. Types of Fungi

2. Club fungi -have a club-shaped fruiting body which produces the spores. The spores are located underneath the dome of the fruiting body in structures called gills. Eg. mushrooms 3. Sac Fungi - produce spores in sac-like structures EX: yeasts, cup fungi, mildews Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Authorized. Coqui. Retrieved on July from Creative Commons Access.

4) Imperfect Fungi – any type of fungi that can only reproduce asexually. This means that they do not use spores to reproduce. These may include any of the other three varieties of fungi as long as they can only reproduce asexually. cause most fungal diseases in humans EX: ringworm, athletes foot, oral thrush Falloonb. Retrieved on July from Wikimedia Commons Online. Public Domain Access. Oral thrush Aphthae Candida albicans. PHIL 1217 lores.jpg. Center for Disease Control Public Health Images Library. Retrieved on December 27, 2010 from Aphthae_Candida_albicans._PHIL_1217_lores.jpg lores.jpg.Wikimedia Commons user M.violante. Retrieved on December 27, 2010 from

How do Fungi feed? 1. Some are decomposers: they digest other organisms or molecules to create energy. 1. Some are decomposers: they digest other organisms or molecules to create energy. Examples: Examples: common bread mold common bread mold (digests starch) (digests starch) shelf fungi on logs shelf fungi on logs (digests wood) (digests wood) white button mushrooms in white button mushrooms in stores (digests dung) stores (digests dung) Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Authorized.

How do Fungi feed? 2. Some are symbiotic: they receive their energy (carbohydrates) directly from a plant or algae. In this relationship, plant or algae. In this relationship, a plant or algae uses the sun’s a plant or algae uses the sun’s energy to produce sugars which energy to produce sugars which are then given to the fungus for are then given to the fungus for something in return, such as something in return, such as nitrogen. nitrogen. Examples: Examples: Mycorrhizal fungi (live on plant roots) Mycorrhizal fungi (live on plant roots) Lichens (algae and fungi which live together) Lichens (algae and fungi which live together) Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Authorized.

3. Predatory fungi: these fungi catch and digest other organisms, such as nematodes, using their hyphae. 3. Predatory fungi: these fungi catch and digest other organisms, such as nematodes, using their hyphae. Cordyceps fungi (kills and Cordyceps fungi (kills and digests insects) How do Fungi feed? Britannica Online. Retrieved on July from

1. most fungi reproduce by using microscopic spores EX: Mushrooms & puffballs release large clouds of spores. Each cloud contains millions of spores 2. Fungi can also reproduce from pieces of hyphae. Wind, water, and animals can carry pieces of hyphae to new places. If enough moisture and food is present, the spores/hyphae can grow into new fungi Britannica Online. Retrieved on July from How do Fungi reproduce?

Why should you care about fungi? A few reasons: 1. Mycorrhizae help plants to grow faster and larger 2. Penicillin and other medicines Penicillium produces penicillin, which inhibits the growth of the bacterium in this Petri dish.

3. They make foods we like to eat. Examples of foods made possible by fungi Yeast Beer and Wine Beer and Wine Bread BreadMushrooms White button, crimini,portabella White button, crimini,portabella Truffles Truffles Mycoprotein Mycoprotein (food additive like tofu) Cheese Soy sauce Citric acid (soft drinks ) 4. They decompose wood and organic matter Images Copyright D.Bausch. Public Domain Access Gratned.

The Fungi Kingdom 1. Define the term mycology. 2. List 4 main types of fungi and give an example of each. 3. List 4 characteristics of fungi. 4. Explain 2 ways that fungi are different from plants. 5. Define hyphae. Explain what it does and where it is located. 6. Define mycelium. Explain what it does and where it’s located. 7. Which of the 4 types of fungi is bread mold?

The Fungi Kingdom 8. Which part of the fungi carries out reproduction? 9. List the two ways that fungi reproduce? 10. Which type of fungi causes most fungal diseases in humans? 11. List 3 examples of human diseases caused by fungus.