1. THE FUNGUS AMONG US KINGDOM FUNGI

2. More than just Mushrooms… Mushrooms –Club: Typical shape of “mushroom,” with spores on gills

3. More than just Mushrooms… Mushrooms –Club –Cup: Spores are in cup instead of gills

4. More than just Mushrooms… Mushrooms Molds –Often found on food and decaying plant material

5. More than just Mushrooms… Mushrooms Molds Yeasts –Unicellular fungi, reproduces by budding

6. More than just Mushrooms… Mushrooms Molds Yeast Lichens –Grow on rocks and wood, a combination of a fungus and cyanobacteria

7. CAPSCALES RING (ANNULUS) GILLS CUP (VOLVA) STALK (STIPE) MYCELLIUM (HYPHAE)

8. STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION STRUCTUREFUNCTION CapCovers and protects the gills GillsContains hyphae that produce spores Stalk or StipeSupports the Cap SporeCell that develops into a new organism HyphaeThreadlike structure built of fungal cells MycelliumBody of fungus (except spores) made of tangled hyphae

9. ROLES OF FUNGI: Decomposition –Organic material is recycled by bacteria and fungi. It is broken down into its original components like Carbon and Nitrogen

10. ROLES OF FUNGI: Decomposition –Example: Pilobolus fungi decomposes dung of grazing animals. Unique for its ability to “aim” at the light and “shoot” its spore packet so it will land on grass and be eaten by another grazing animal. The entire life cycle is then repeated

11. Pilobolus

12. ROLES OF FUNGI: Symbiosis Mycorrhizal Fungi: Symbiotic fungi that live in or around roots of plants. They get food (sugar) from the plant in exchange for water and nutrients It is estimated that 99.9% of all plants have a fungal partner

13. Mycorrhizal Fungi

14. Benefits of a Fungal Partner

15. ROLES OF FUNGI: Pathogens Some fungi are parasitic, causing damage or death to plants, animals, and even other fungi Can cause severe damage to many crop plants including corn, wheat, potatoes, and fruits

16. Harmful Fungi

20. ROLES OF FUNGI: Medicines –Penicillin: Alexander Fleming discovered that mold could kill bacteria in 1928. During WWII (1940’s) the drug we know today was developed

21. ROLES OF FUNGI: Food –Several Mushrooms are used in our food –Specialty Cheeses like Blue Cheese, Brie, etc. –Bread, Beer, and Wine are made with yeast