1. Fungi

2. Fungi:
Although originally classified as plants because they share some characteristics, fungi have several characteristics that make them different:
Fungi are eukaryotes (have nuclei) that have cell walls.
All fungi are heterotrophs.
Fungi lack chlorophyll so they are not photosynthetic.
Fungi are major decomposers in every ecosystem.

3. Cell Structure: Fungi can be unicellular as well as multicellular.
Cells are surrounded by cell walls.
Fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae.
Hyphae are long branching structures of fungus and are the main mode of growth.
The movement of cytoplasm within the hyphae structure provides a way to transport materials throughout the hyphae.

4. Nutrition: To obtain food:
Fungi can release chemicals that digest whatever they are growing on and then the fungi absorb the food that is being digested
Some fungi catch and eat tiny animals.
Some feed on dead or dying organisms, breaking them down.
Some are Parasites . Whish means: they survive by living on or in a host organism, thus harming it.
Some are symbiotic. Which means: they are in a relationship that helps their host.

5. Reproduction: Spores: asexual form of reproduction
Fungi reproduce through the use of spores.
Spores: asexual form of reproduction
Are very light and can be carried by the wind.
If they land in the right conditions they can develop hyphae.
Spores develop a special structure called a fruiting body.

7. Reproduction:
When growing conditions become unfavorable, reproduction occurs sexually.
The hyphae of two individuals meet and grow together exchanging genetic material.
The resulting fungus then contains DNA from each of the two parents.

8. Forms of Fungi: There are Three main types of fungi: Mushrooms Yeast
Molds

9. Mushrooms
Mushrooms are shaped like an umbrella and have 5 main parts.
Many mushrooms are eaten for food.
Many are poisonous too.
Parts:
Stalk- is the stem like structure.
Ring- decorates the stalk looks like a short skirt
Cap- top of stalk protects the pores
Spores- used for reproduction found under cap
Hyphae- thread like tubes

10. Cap
Spores
Ring
Stalk
Hyphae

11. Yeasts Yeasts are single celled  unicellular
Used in bread because it is a great environment, warm, moist, full of food.
As yeast grows it produces CO2, which form the tiny bubbles in the dough.
Also used in the production of beer and wine because yeast aid alcohol production through fermentation.
Fermentation  the process yeasts use to gain energy from food when there is no oxygen present.

12. Molds
They can be fuzzy, shapeless, fairly flat fungi that grow on the surface of an object.
Most famous mold substance: penicillin
Penicillin was the first set of drugs affective against many serious diseases.
Who was the scientist that discovered penicillin?
Sir Alexander Fleming

13. Fungi and Other Organisms
Many diseases of crop and garden plants are caused by Fungi.
Some fungi infect plants and produce toxins.
Fungi cause a number of diseases in animals and humans.
Some are simply annoying while others are even deadly
Examples:
Athlete’s foot.
Farmer’s Lung
Cave Disease/Spelunker’s Lung- fatal if untreated
Ring worm

14. Mycorrhiza: Fungus- root associations
Known as: Mycorrhizae “helpful fungi”
Can increase their host’s ability to gather nutrients by ten times.
Help protect host against;
Drought
Cold
Acid rain
Other harmful fungi

15. Lichen:
Lichen- is made up of a fungus and an algae that live together.
They are produced through symbiosis between fungus and an algae.
First species to colonize a new area