1. Ascomycota
Liz Kramer

2. Terms Hyphae- tube-like structures, basic unit of ascomycota
Mycelium- mass of hyphae (mold)
Septa- parts of the hyphae in the the cell wall, keeps cytoplasm in and gives stability

3. Fungi Decomposers Eukaryotes Non-vascular
Reproduce by spores in most cases
Have cell walls kind of like plants, except theirs are made of chitin
Heterotrophic (they have to feed on other things to survive)
Plants walls are made of cellulose

4. Fungi-Ascomycota Ascomycota is a phylum under fungi Largest phylum
Has over 64,000 species in it
Has asexual and sexual reproducing members
All of it’s members trace back to a common ancestor
Can either be one-celled, or in chains of connected cells called hyphae
Found everywhere in the world, including Antarctica
Highly diverse!
Some species (the white truffel) can only be found in certain places

5. Ascomycota Characteristics
They have septa
Give hyphae structure
cross walls in the spores sometimes
many of them have an ascus
A lot of things under this classification are in a “sac” like shape.
Conidiospores in asexually reproducing organisms
Sac like, giving them the name “sac fungi”, septa provide cytoplasm loss, provide protection

6. Asexual Reproduction Responsible for rapid reproduction
Occurs through reproductive spores called conidia.
Conidiospores are released
They form tubes of hyphae
They grow into each other and fuse to make mycelia
Conidiophores are a distinct characteristic of Ascomycota

7. Asexual repro. Continued..
Budding
Used by yeast
Split off from parent
Grow until they are the same size
Then repeat process
Some yeasts can reproduce by fission, but not very many

8. Conidiophores Can produce masses of spores
Sometimes the spores are called mitospores, because they are produced through mitosis
Spores released through a small opening, called the ostiole
Used in asexual reproduction

9. Conidia are always in the air, it can be dangerous to people with weak immune systems
Conidiophore of penicillium , chain of conidia

10. Sexual Reproduction!
Ascogonium forms passage to antheridium, the nuclei are transferred and split and form lots of them

11. Didn’t get all that?
Each ascocarp (the main reproductive structure of many ascomycota) has zygotes
These diploid zygotes undergo meiosis and mitosis to form many haploid cells
These cells are called spores
The spores are sent into the ground, or blown wherever
There are two types of spores, positive and negative
Spores of same types form together to make chains of hyphae
The opposite types of hyphae can then form together to make another reproducing ascocarp
Almost all nuclei are haploid, in sexual repro. There is one diploid stage, but then they are separated

12. Ascocarp

13. Eating habits!! Eat dead biomass (plants, anything organic)
Sometimes eat living organisms
To do this they produce strong digestive enzymes
Break things down into tiny molecules
Absorb them through the cell wall
One species (Amorphotheca resinae) eats airplane fuel

14. Forming relationships
Many ascomycota form symbiotic relationships with different organisms including
Plant roots
Lichens
Plant stems or leaves
Symbiotic relationships mean both benefit
So ascomycota aren’t only important decomposers, they are also important for other organisms to survive

15. 3 Sub Phylums Pezizomycotina Largest subphylum
Contains truffles, cup fungi, caterpillar fungi, and black molds
reproduce by fission
Almost all can be seen by the human eye
A 3.3 pound white truffle was sold somewhere in Europe for $330,000
Pretty much anything that produces a fruiting ascocarp
Scientific Name
Physcia

16. Saccharomycotina Contains yeast
Ex. Bakers yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Reproduce by budding (asexual)
Single celled
Yeasts are important for the food industry!
Not all yeasts reproduce by budding, some use fission but they are classified under a different subphylum

17. Taphrinomycotina Contains hyphal fungi, and mammalian lung parasite
Also contains yeast that reproduce by fission
Mammalian lung parasite is pneumocystis, causes pneumonie

18. Harmful Ascomycota Can be harmful to plants, humans or animals
Cause ringworm and athlete’s foot
Everyday molds are classified under this phylum
One type of ascomycota is known to cause Dutch Elm disease

19. Helpful Ascomycota
Truffels and morels make edible ascocarps that are prized and most are expensive to buy!
Yeast is used for alcohol and leavened bread
penecillium, can be made into the antibiotic penicillin
Finish this slide!

20. Review!  What two ways can ascomycota reproduce by?
Sexually, and asexually
What is the main sexual reproductive structure in ascomycota?
The ascocarp
There are 3 subphylums of Ascomycota
Ascomycota are important decomposers
They can break down almost anything
Ascomycota is the largest phylum of fungi

21. Sources http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taphrinomycotina