1. Kingdom Fungi
This chapter describes the morphology, life cycles, and ecological importance of the kingdom Fungi. The divisions of fungi are established on the basis of variations in sexual reproduction. Lichens are symbiotic complexes of fungi and algae. Fungi play an important ecological role, both as decomposers and by their mychorrizal associations with plant roots. A flagellated protistan may have been the common ancestor to fungi and animals.

2. Introduction to the Fungi
Most fungi are multicellular eukaryotes.
They differ from other eukaryotes in their nutrition, structure, growth, and reproduction.

3. Introduction to the Fungi
Fungi are heterotrophs
They obtain nutrition through absorption, in which they take up small molecules from their surroundings.
Fungi secrete hydrolytic enzymes and digest food outside their bodies.

4. Introduction to the Fungi
The bodies of fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae that are intertwined together to form a mycelium (the body).
Most fungi are multicellular and the hyphae are made up of cells with walls between them called septa.
The cell walls are made of chitin.

5. Introduction to the Fungi
Know Figure 31.2

6. Introduction to the Fungi
Fungi produce spores either sexually or asexually
They disperse spores in order to reproduce
The spores of most fungal species are haploid

7. Sexual vs Asexual Fungi Reproduction

8. Diversity of Fungi There are four phyla of fungi: Chytridiomycota
Zygomycota
Ascomycota
Basidomycota

9. Diversity of Fungi Division Chytridiomycota (chytrids)
Aquatic saprobes or parasites
Thought to be the most primitive of fungi

10. Diversity of Fungi Division Zygomycota (zygote fungi) Terrestrial
Some form mycorrhizae – mutualistic assocations with plant roots (Producing enzymes that encourage root growth)
Common specimen is bread mold (Rhizopus)

11. Diversity of Fungi Ascomycota (sac fungi)
Live in a variety of environments
Common forms include unicellular yeasts, cup fungi, morels, and lichens

12. Diversity of Fungi Basidiomycota (club fungus) Include mushrooms
Important decomposers of plant material

13. Diversity of Fungi Three other important fungi include: Molds Yeasts
Lichens

14. Diversity of Fungi Molds
Rapidly growing fungi that reproduce asexually
Saprobes or parasites
Common form is penicillin, other forms are also used as antibiotics

15. Diversity of Fungi Yeasts
Unicellular fungi that live in moist habitats
Produce asexually by budding
Saccharomyces cerevisiae used in baking, brewing, and molecular genetic research

16. Diversity of Fungi Lichens
Lichens
Symbiotic associations of photosynthetic microorganisms (algae) embedded in a network of fungal hyphae
Hardy organisms that are pioneers on rock and soil surfaces

17. Ecological Impacts of Fungi
Fungi are important decomposers that release organic nutrients, enabling them to cycle through the environment
Pathogenic fungi cause athlete’s foot, yeast infections, and lung infections
Some fungi are edible, such as commercially cultivated mushrooms as well as some wild mushrooms

18. Phylogenetic Relationships of Fungi
Flagellated stage found in the most ancient lineage of chytrids is indicative of a protist ancestor
Other fungal divisions lost their flagellated stages as they developed reproduction and dispersal methods for life on land
Comparisons of proteins and ribosomal RNA indicate that animals and fungi diverged from a common ancestor

19. Sexual vs Asexual Fungi Reproduction

20. Fungi Lifecycle

21. Label Plasmogamy, Karyogamy, and meiosis p. 582

22. Label Plasmogamy, Karyogamy, and meiosis p. 582

23. Phylogenetic Relationships
Ecological Impacts
of Fungi
Phylogenetic Relationships
of Fungi