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
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
Fungi are composed of eukaryotic cells (have membranes and organelles)
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. Phylum Zygomycota Example: bread mould (Rhizopus)
Most in this division are terrestrial
Hyphae break into the food source, and are then termed rhizoids
Rhizoids draw water and sugar from the bread (or food source) thus allowing the mould to grow further
After a few days, case-like structure called sporangia appear
Each sporangia can produce several thousand spores

11. Zygomycota Cont’d
When the sporangia break open, the spores are carried by the air to allow colonization of new areas.
Under less favourable conditions, zygomycotes reproduce sexually
Two hyphae form which conjugate and produce a zygospore
Zygospores stay dormant until growing conditions are correct

12. Phylum Ascomycota Examples: mildew, some moulds, some yeasts
Fungi in this division form saclike structures for reproduction
Spores produced by sexual reproduction in these are termed ascospores, and are produced in a sac called an ascus.
Spores produced asexually are called conidia.

13. Phylum Basidiomycota Examples: mushrooms, rusts, and puffballs
Under damp conditions, the mycelial mass form knobs which absorb water and grow quite large.
These knobs become spore bearing structures and appear as caps.
The caps have gills that have thousands of reproductive cells called basidia.
Each basidium has several thousand spores.

14. Phylum Chytridomycota
They are the only fungi with swimming spores.
Most of them are saprophytes which means they obtain nutrients from dead organic matter.
They can be unicellular or multicellular
They can be parasitic and life on decaying plants or insects