1. The Fungi Unit 5

2. The Tree of Life In 1959, American scientist R. H. Whitaker added the kingdom Fungi to the currently-existing 4 kingdom system.

3. Classification of Fungi Fungi are classified according to their structure and method of reproduction. Did someone mention the birds and the bees?

4. What Is A Fungus? Eukaryotes Kingdom: Fungi Mostly terrestrial Multicellular (except yeasts) Cell walls of chitin (a polysaccharide) Heterotrophic Store food in form of glycogen Sexual and asexual reproduction

5. Structure of Fungi Fungi are composed of many filaments called hyphae. Each hypha is one cell thick, and each cell can contain one or more nuclei. Some cells are separated by cross walls called septa, some are not. Individual hyphae

6. Structure of Fungi The body of fungi are composed of many hyphae tangled together into a thick mass called a mycelium!

7. Did You Know? A person that studies fungi is called a mycologist!

8. Did You Know? That in 1845, a fungus attacked the potato crop in Ireland causing the Great Famine?

9. Did You Know? A fairy ring is a ring of mushrooms growing above ground from one common mycelium below ground?

10. How Do Fungi Obtain Their Food? Heterotrophic Digest organic matter by excreting enzymes into the environment and absorbing by- products Store carbohydrates as glycogen instead of starch like plants

11. How Do Fungi Spread? By way of spores! The spores scatter in the wind or on the fur or foot of an unsuspecting animal. Spores will actually germinate when moisture, temperature, and food source are all right!

12. Groups of Fungi Fungi are classified into 4 main groups: –Zygomycota –Ascomycota –Basidiomycota –Deuteromycota Each as a different type of reproductive structure

13. Zygomycota (Common Molds) These are the familiar molds that grow on meat, cheese and bread. Reproductive structure = zygospore Zygospore

14. Zygomycota Structures Rhizoids – rootlike structures that penetrate surface and serve as anchors Stolons – hyphae that run along the surface of object Sporangiophores – hyphae that shoot up into the air with zygospores on them

15. Zygomycota Example Rhizopus stolonifer – the common black bread mold. Important in industrial applications.

16. Ascomycota (Sac Fungi) These are such things as yeast, Penicillium sp, and others Reproductive structure = ascospore Ascospore

17. Ascomycota Structures Ascus is a reproductive structure that contains spores (like a sac). In a moist environment, these spores become active.

18. Ascomycota Examples Common Bread Yeast Penicillium sp. (Source of penicillin) Aspergillus sp. Used in industry to produce various products

19. Yeasts Single-celled oval microbes which reproduce by budding. Important because used in baking and in the making of foods such as beer and wine. Play a large role in genetic engineering. Budding Yeast

20. Basidiomycota (Club Fungi) This group includes the mushrooms, puffballs, stinkhorn fungi, shelf fungi Reproductive structure =basidium

21. Basidiomycota Structures The basidium is the spore-bearing structure, and it resembles a club. Found on the underside of mushrooms. Basidium

22. Basidiomycota Examples Puffball Shelf Fungus Amanita phalloides “The Death Cap”

23. Deuteromycota (Imperfect Fungi) This group includes the fungi that are not placed in another group because no sexual cycle has been observed (yet!) Reproductive structure =Conidium

24. Deuteromycota Structures Conidium is the specialized spore for these fungi.

25. Deuteromycota Examples Alternaria, which is both ubiquitous and abundant, is both saprophytic and parasitic on plant material and is found on rotting vegetation as well as in damp indoor areas, such as bathrooms.

26. Reproduction of Fungi Can reproduce in one of two ways: 1.Sexual reproduction 2.Asexual reproduction

27. Sexual Reproduction in Fungi Two mating types: a + and a – When + and – hyphae meet, a gametangium is formed, which creates gametes. Meiosis occurs, producing new fungus.

28. Asexual Reproduction in Fungi Can occur in two ways: –Fragmentation – piece breaks off, becomes new hyphae –Mitosis – single cell produces two genetically identical daughter cells

29. Ecology of Fungi Important to many ecosystems because: –Decompose dead organisms –Live in association with other organisms in a mutually beneficial way –Can act as parasites, causing disease

30. Decomposers Fungi recycle nutrients by breaking down the bodies and wastes of other organisms. Perpetuate the “circle of life”.

31. Parasites Can cause plant and animal diseases as well as human disease. Examples: wheat rust, athlete’s foot, thrush, etc. Responsible for Irish Potato Famine.

32. Symbionts Lichens – mutually beneficial relationship between fungus and a plant. Mycorrhizae – mutually beneficial relationship between plant roots and fungus.

33. Did You Know? Mycorrhizae affect about 80% of the world’s plants – they help the plant absorb water and minerals, and the plant provides the fungus with the products of photosynthesis. Plants wouldn’t exist without them!

34. Candida albicans Cause of female yeast infection Normal in vaginal tract, but if overgrows, a problem Itching, burning, white “cottage cheese” discharge

35. Cryptococcus neoformans One cause of meningitis, transmitted by breathing in pigeon droppings. Piercing headaches, stiff neck, paralysis.

36. Tinea sp. Causes many human diseases: –Athlete’s foot –Jock itch –Ringworm Symptoms: redness, itching Ringworm Fungus

37. Coccidioides immitis Respiratory infection of humans from breathing in bird droppings Found mostly in SW United States Fungus gets in lungs and causes flu-like illness

38. Histoplasma capsulatum Also associated with breathing in bird droppings, especially near barns and sheds. Causes a mild respiratory illness.

39. Video Clip

40. The End!