1. Two mushrooms get invited to a party…
Because they are fungi’s…..

2. Role of Fungi in Nature They are THE decomposers
Heterotrophs, obtain food by extra-cellular digestion
Secrete enzymes onto their food and adsorb the molecules

3. Structure Basic element is the hypha (hyphae)
Long filament-like cells; can have several nuclei
Cottony mass of hyphae is a mycelium
This is the digestion “organ”
Mycelium makes a fruiting body (mushroom) when conditions are right

4. Classification Based on life cycles There are five phyla:
Zygomycetes (bread molds)
Ascomycetes (mildews, molds, truffles and yeasts)
Basidiomycetes (mushrooms, puff balls, bracket fungi, rusts)
Chytridomycota (aqautic decomposers)
Deuteromycetes (Imperfect fungi)

5. Life cycle of bread mold
Life cycle of bread mold (handout)
Also see page 620

6. Reproduction Asexual and Sexual reproduction is used Asexual Sexual
Produce spores or hyphae fragments
Blown by the wind and germinate in suitable spot
Sexual
Hyphae of opposite mating types fuse
Nuclei fuse and undergo meiosis
Haploid spores are produced

7. Yeast Not a typical ascomycetes because the fruiting body is very tiny
What do we use yeasts for?

8. Mushrooms The above ground structure of the basidiomycetes
The gills underneath contain the spores
Each mushroom contains about 1 million spores
Mycelium underground can be several meters in diameter
The Fairy Ring (or Circle)

9. Fungi Imperfect Only use asexual reproduction
Athlete’s foot, ringworm and penicillin

10. Lichens Example of mutualism (symbiotic beneficial relationship)
Fungus and Algae together; grow on trees and rocks
Fungus gives water and minerals from the surface it’s on
Algae gives photosynthesis (organic substances)
Diagram on page 623