3. All fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs that have rigid cell walls made of chitin
What is eukaryotic?
Fungi have a nucleus and membrane-bound organelles
What is a heterotroph?
Fungi get their food by eating other organisms or their byproducts and cannot make their own food

4. Fungi can either be unicellular or multicellular
Yeast is a single-celled fungus.
Witch’s Hat fungus is multi-cellular.

5. Fungi Characteristics
      1) Unicellular and Multicellular Eukaryote 2) Heterotrophs and major Decomposers
     3) Most reproduce asexually by spores
4) Cell wall made of Chitin
5) Need moist, warm places in which to grow.

6. The cells of fungi are arranged in branching, threadlike tubes called hyphae
Cap
Gills
Hyphae

7. Fungi are heterotrophs, but they cannot catch or surround their food.
So, how do they eat?
They have to live near or actually on their food supply
There are 3 ways that fungi get their food:
consumers (ex: bracket fungus)
Decomposers (ex: bread mold)
Parasites (ex: zombie ants)

8. Insert Zombie Slide Video

9. Reproduction Most fungi reproduce asexually by making spores
Yeast cells reproduce asexually in a process called budding.
Fungi reproduce sexually when conditions are unfavorable.

10. The Role of Fungi in Nature
Food and Fungi
Yeasts make bread rise
Molds are used to make cheese
Mushrooms on pizza yum!
Environmental Recycling
Decomposers—break down chemicals in dead organisms
Disease-Fighting
Penicillin—(bread) mold that produces antibiotics which kill bacteria.
Disease-Causing
Athlete’s foot
Ring worm

11. Lichens
A fungus and algae or autotrophic bacteria living together in a mutualistic relationship
Fungus provides shelter, water, and minerals
Algae/bacteria provide food