1. Ex 2) Mycorrhizae: mutualism between fungus and plant roots
Ex 2) Mycorrhizae: mutualism between fungus and plant roots. Fungi absorbs minerals for the plant and plant provides carbohydrates and amino acids to the fungi.

2. Reproduction
Fungi can reproduce asexually or sexually. Some Fungi can go through asexual AND sexual reproduction.
a. Asexual reproduction: Budding, Fragmentation, & Spore formation
1. Budding: New cell develops while attached to the parent cell, then pinches off. Ex) yeast

3. 2. Fragmentation: mycelium is broken off (through digging for example) & grows into a new fungus in a different area 3. Spore Formation:
Spores: haploid reproductive cells that are lightweight. Easily carried by wind, or on the fur of animals.
Spores travel to new environment. If conditions are favorable, the spores will grow into hyphae & create a new fungus
Ex) Puffball Fungi: produces trillions of spores to guarantee some will find favorable conditions to grow

4. Sexual Reproduction
Fungi have plus and minus mating types (not male and female). When the hyphae of a plus fungi meets the hyphae of a minus fungi, the two hyphae fuse and create a genetically diverse fungus

5. 4 phyla of Fungi - classified by structure, and method of reproduction
Zygomycota (aka Common Molds):
- Common molds found on bread or other food
- Mostly terrestrial (found on land)
- Use sporangia to produce spores
Ex) Rhizopus stolonifer – Bread mold

6. 2. Ascomycota (aka Sac Fungi)
Multicellular
One unicellular exception – yeast
Named for the ascus, a tough sac that contains spores.
Ex) Truffles, Morel, Yeast

7. 3. Basidiomycota (aka Club Fungi)
Named for a specialized reproductive structure that resembles a club.
- The spore-bearing structure is called basidium

8. 4. Deuteromycota (aka Imperfect Fungi)
Fungi that do not have a sexual stage are classified in a group called fungi imperfecti, or deuteromycota. They can’t reproduce sexually.
Ex) Ring worm, Athlete’s foot, Penicillium, tomato blight fungus

9. Importance Beneficial Fungi Harmful Fungi
Decomposers: Helps recycle nutrients
Medications & Antibiotics
Food: Mushrooms can be a food source. Yeast used in baking and brewing
Bioremediation: Fungi are mixed with water or soil & decompose the organic material in pollutants making them harmless
Harmful Fungi
Plant Diseases – Mold, Powdery Mildew
Human Diseases – Athlete’s foot & Ringworm