1. Fungi Section 1: Characteristics of Fungi Section 2: Fungal Diversity
Chapter 22
Fungi
Section 1: Characteristics of Fungi
Section 2: Fungal Diversity
Section 3: Fungal Partnerships 1

2. Characteristics of Fungi
Section 1
Characteristics of Fungi
Objectives:
List the characteristics of the kingdom Fungi.
Describe the structure of a typical fungus body.
Identify how fungi obtain nutrients.
Relate the way fungi obtain nutrients to their role in ecosystems.
Distinguish the ways that fungi reproduce. 2

3. Characteristics of Fungi
Section 1
Characteristics of Fungi
Kingdom Fungi
Characteristics Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs. Fungal cells contain chitin and go through nuclear mitosis. 3

4. Characteristics of Fungi
Section 1
Characteristics of Fungi
Structures and Nutrients
Structures Their bodies are made up of slender woven filaments called hyphae. Hyphae form mycelium.
Nutrients Fungi obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes and absorbing the decomposed nutrients from their environment. Fungi decompose dead organic matter; they are an important resource recycler.
Reproduction Most fungi reproduce by releasing spores that are produced asexually or sexually. 4

5. Fungal Diversity Objectives:
Section 2
Fungal Diversity
Objectives:
Describe the characteristics used to classify fungi.
List two commercial uses for fungi.
Describe three phyla of fungi.
Distinguish between the life cycles of zygomycetes, ascomycetes, and basidiomycetes.
Describe the mushroom Amanita muscaria. 5

6. Fungal Diversity Reproductive Structures
Section 2
Fungal Diversity
Reproductive Structures
Asexual Reproduction Fungi are classified by their sexual reproductive structures. Fungi in which sexual reproduction has not been observed are referred to as deuteromycetes. 6

7. Fungal Diversity Zygomycetes
Section 2
Fungal Diversity
Zygomycetes
Zygomycetes Fungi in the phylum Zygomycota produce spores in thick-walled sexual structures called zygosporangia. 7

8. Fungal Diversity Ascomycetes
Section 2
Fungal Diversity
Ascomycetes
Ascomycetes Fungi in the phylum Ascomycota produce spores in a saclike structures called an ascus. 8

9. Fungal Diversity Basidiomycetes
Section 2
Fungal Diversity
Basidiomycetes
Basidiomycetes Fungi in the phylum Basidiomycota produce spores in a club-shaped structure called a basidium. 9

10. Fungal Partnerships Objectives:
Section 3
Fungal Partnerships
Objectives:
Distinguish two symbiotic relationships that involve fungi.
Summarize the ecological importance of mycorrhizae.
Describe lichens. 10

11. Fungal Partnerships Symbiotic Relationships
Section 3
Fungal Partnerships
Symbiotic Relationships
Fungal Symbioses Fungi can be involved in two types of symbioses, mycorrhizae or lichens.
Mycorrhizae Mycorrhizae are symbiotic associations in which a fungus transfers minerals to a plant’s roots, which in turn supply carbohydrates to the fungus.
Lichens The fungal partnership in a lichen protects the photosynthetic partner and provides the lichen with minerals. The photosynthetic partner provides the fungus with carbohydrates. 11