1. Kingdom Fungi Common Characteristics
Cells are eukaryotic
All cells are surrounded by a cell wall containing chitin, not cellulose like plants
Most are multicellular (yeast are single-celled)
Reproduction is sexual and asexual, by producing spores
They are heterotrophs (no autotrophs/Chloroplasts)
Many are stationary and anchored in the soil, but without true roots

2. Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers.
Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds)
Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust)
Some form mutualistic relationships

3. Bread Mould, Yeast, Mushrooms

4. FUNGI Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers.
Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds)
Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust)
Some form symbiotic relationships (a relationship where both organisms benefit).

5. Fungal Structures They DO NOT have chloroplasts
The have long, thread-like microscopic cells called hyphae, which form masses called mycelia
The hyphae grow in and around a food source, secreting digestive enzymes and absorbing nutrients into the fungus.

7. Growth Cells grow at the tips only
This allows them to colonize dead or living organic matter

8. Nutrition
All fungi are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients from other organisms
The obtain this nutrition by extra-cellular digestion and absorption, not by ingestion

9. Reproduction
Fungi reproduce by spores, which are single cells surrounded by a wall
Spores are carried by air currents to new sources where they give rise to new hypha
Asexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by mitosis
Sexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by meiosis

10. Fungi Phyla (fill in from pg 81)
Phylum
Key Features
Chytridiomycota
Zygomycota
Glomeromycota
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota

11. Vampires & Werewolves and Witches ?
Fungus and History?
Vampires & Werewolves and Witches ?
Wheat Rust Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fungus that grows on the ears of rye plants.
It produces the chemical active in the psychedelic drug LSD.
Historically, places/cultures who have developed folklore around witches, vampires etc relied on a diet of rye /rye bread. It is possible that eating wheat rust made you act odd or believe you had seen odd things !

12. Biological Importance of Fungi
Ecological:
plants rely on fungi to obtain nutrients (symbiotic relationship)
lichen
Master Decomposers
Cause some diseases in
animals and plants
(athletes foot )

13. Biological Importance of Fungi
Economic:
Many edibles (most basidiomycotes)
Button, shitake, truffles, crimini, portabello,
Yeast (ascomycota) are integral to the making of bread, wine and beer, particularly (S. cerevisiae)
Required to make certain cheeses (blue, swiss, etc)
Medicine !!!! Penicillin , cyclosporin (used in organ transplants)
Increase productivity of crops when working symbiotically
Cause crop related diseases like apple scab, bread mould etc.