1. Fungi

2. Fungi General Characteristics
Eukaryote
Threadlike bodies (hyphae)
Cell walls made of chitin
Heterotrophic decomposers or saprobes (absorb nutrients from dead organisms)
Classified based on reproductive structures

3. HYPHAE

4. Evolutionary Relationships
Oldest fungi fossil are found between mil years
Characteristics suggest that fungi originated from an unknown group of single-celled eukaryotes lacking flagella

5. Phylum/Division Name
Common
Name
Reproduction
Examples
a. Zygomycota
Zygote fungi
Sexual - Zygospores
Black bread mold
(Rhizopus stolonifer) b.
Ascomycota
Sac Fungi
Sexual-spores in asci
Cup morels; yeast;
Plant disease = Dutch Elm &
Chestnut Blight c.
Basidiomycota
Club Fungi
Sexual-Spores on basidia
Mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs
Pathogens - rusts, smuts d.
Deuteromycota
e. Chytridiomycota
Imperfect fungi
Chytrids
Sexual – None
Sexual-Chytrid spores
Causes athlete's foot, ring worm
Similar to fungus-like protist

6. Black Bread Mold - Rhizopus

7. SAC FUNGI
Yeast

8. Club Fungi

9. Deuteromycota - Imperfect

10. CHYTRID

11. Plant vs Fungi Similarities Differences Both are anchored in the soil
Both have cell walls
Differences
Fungi have NO true roots, stems, or leaves
Fungi are heterotrophs; NO photosynthesis

12. Fungi Feeding Relationships
Saprobes or decomposers (mushroom)
Parasites (athlete's foot)
Mutualists (lichen)

13. Mushrooms Mushroom = sexual reproductive structure
Formed from buttons just under the soil that absorb lots of water = “overnight appearance”
Fairy rings - mushrooms spores fall to the ground in a circular pattern

14. FAIRY RING

15. Fungi & Ecology BOTH (monera) and fungi are major decomposers
Mycorrhizae: Mutualism between a fungus and plant roots; plants gets increased nutrients & fungi gets carbohydrates (food)

16. MYCORRHIZHAE

17. NOTE: Lots of lichen = little air pollution
FUNGI & ECOLOGY (CONT)
Lichen: Mutualism between fungus & algae or cyanobacteria; fungus gets carbs (food) & partner gets nutrients & protection
NOTE: Lots of lichen = little air pollution
Lichen converts rock into soil = pioneering species

18. LICHEN

19. Benefits to Humans
Food (truffles, mushrooms, baking; making cheese and wine, soy sauce)
Medicine (penicillin; cortisol)
Genetic engineering = yeast used to make Hep B Vaccine
Alternative fuels = yeast makes gasohol
Pesticides

20. Problems to Humans Poisonous
Edible and poisonous mushrooms may look exactly alike
Parasitic fungi cause
plant diseases (Chestnut Blight, Dutch Elm)
Athletes foot & vaginal yeast infection
Saprobic fungi cause:
- food spoilage