1. Characteristics of Fungi
Eukaryotic
Multicellular (with some exceptions)
Heterotrophic
Cell walls made of chitin

2. Characteristics of Fungi
Many fungi are decomposers, getting energy by breaking down dead material.
Saprophyte- An organism that lives off of dead decaying material.
The visible part of most fungi is only the fruiting body or reproductive structures.

3. Characteristics of Fungi
The main body of fungi consists of a network of filaments called a mycelium.

4. Characteristics of Fungi
The individual filaments are called hyphae.

5. Characteristics of Fungi
Fungi feed through a process of extracellular digestion, where the hyphae release enzymes that break down the material the fungus is feeding on.

6. Life Cycles of Fungi Alternation of Generations
Life-cycle divided into haploid and diploid stages.
Haploid- having 1 set of chromosomes (n).
Diploid- having 2 sets of chromosomes (2n).
Haploid stage is dominant.

7. Life Cycles of Fungi
Fungi also go through a dikaryotic stage (n + n) in which there are 2 nuclei.

8. Spore- A single cell which can grow into a new organism.

9. Different phyla have different life-cycles
Basidiomycota-