1. Phylum: Basidiomycota
Also known as the club fungi
Most familiar of the phylum to people
Most of its life cycle is spent under ground, growing just under the surface
When it is time to reproduce, they grow a basidiocarp, which we commonly call a mushroom

2. Basidiocarps consist of a stalk & a cap
The underside of the cap is covered with gills
The spores are produced in the gills and are released when they are mature

3. Phylum: Ascomycota Also called sac fungi or yeast
Live in many places: fresh water, salt water & on land & most are parasitic
Most of the time reproduce asexually through a process called budding

4. Mycorrhizae
A mycorrhizae is a symbiotic relationship between a fungus & plant roots
Symbiotic means that both benefit from the relationship
More than 80% of all plants contain mycorrhizae in & on their roots
The fungus attracts minerals for the plant
The plant gives sugars from photosynthesis to the fungus in return

5. Lichens
Lichens are a symbiotic relationship between a fungus & a green algae
The fungus provides moisture, shelter & anchorage for the algae
The algae provides food from photosynthesis in return to the fungus
Together, they produce acids that break down rocks & make new soil

6. Fungus & humans
Allergies: mold spores in the air can cause allergies in humans
Ringworm: fungal infection of the skin causes round, raised spots
The dry flaky skin on top is full of fungal spores which then infect others who come into contact with it

7. Athlete’s foot: ringworm of the foot
Candidiasis: yeast infection of the mouth
Sometimes called ‘thrush’
Usually seen in young children or older people with weak immune systems

8. Histoplasmosis: when inhaled causes severe lung illness that resembles tuberculosis
Fever, chills, body aches, chest pain, nonproductive cough, occasionally with bloody discharge
While the immune system is busy fighting off the lung infection, it quickly moves to other organs, like the liver

9. Aspergillosis: the Aspergillus fungus is very common fungus that lives in grains
it produces a toxin called aflatoxin which causes liver cancer when ingested
Farmers must be very careful to prevent their crops from being contaminated by Aspergillus

10. Fungus in industry Penicillium: produces penicillin
Cephalosporim: produce cephalosporin antibiotics
Rhizopus: produces cortisone that is used as an anti-inflammatory medicine
Yeasts are used to make vaccines & performance fuels for race cars, airplanes, etc.