1. Classification of Fungi 12-2
BIO 1004

2. Fungi Classification
Classified based upon their structure and reproduction
4 main groups are:
Common molds
Sac fungi
Club fungi
Imperfect fungi

3. Common Molds
These are the familiar molds that grow on meat, cheese, and bread
Phylum zygomycota
Have life cycles that include a zygospore
Zygospore – resting spore that contains zygotes formed from sexual phase of life cycle
Life Cycle:
Hyphae fuse forming gametangia
Through meiosis, it produces genetically different spores

4. Structure of Bread Mold
2 types of hyphae on bread mold
Rhizoids – anchor fungus to the bread, release digestive enzymes, and absorb nutrients
Stolons – run along the surface of bread
Sporangiophores – hyphae that push into air and contain spores
One may contain spores

5. Sac Fungi Phylum Ascomycota
Named for ascus – the reproductive structure that produces spores
Largest phylum of fungi
Cup fungi, yeast, etc.

6. Sac Fungi Includes both sexual and asexual portions of life cycle
Tiny spores called “conidia” are formed at tips of hyphae called conidiophores
Ascus – forms within the fruiting body
This is where the two mating types fuse forming the zygote
Ascospores are the zygote (8 produced)

7. Club Fungi Phylum Basidiomycota
Get name from specialized reproductive structure that resembles a club
This spore bearing structure is called the “basidium”
These are found in the gills on the underside of mushroom caps

8. Club Fungi Cont.
For reproductive structures to form, moisture and nutrient content of soil has to be perfect
Growth of mushroom is caused by cell enlargement due to intake of water
Basidiospores are located in gills
Can produce billions or trillions of spores
Ex: jelly fungi, puff balls, star

9. Imperfect Fungi Phylum Deuteromycota NO sexual phase of life cycle
Imperfect implies that we do not fully understand their life cycle
Source of anti-biotic penicillin