2. Fungi Premier Decomposers

3. Fungi Characteristics Heterotrophic Secrete digestive enzymes on organic material and then absorb it Extracellular digestion and absorption

4. Fungi Characteristics Most are multicellular Reproduce both asexually and sexually Spore producing Produce a mesh of filaments called a mycelium Each filament of the mycelium is called a hypha

5. Fungi Characteristics Three major groups: Zygomycota Ascomycota: sac fungi Basidiomycota: club fungi Imperfect fungi

7. Spores Sexual, asexual spores, or both Depends on contact with other hyphae, food availability, temperature, and dampness Incredible numbers of spores are produced Depend on wind and air currents to disperse them

8. Zygomycetes Bread mold Some parasitic species Stalked hyphae with spore sacs on top

10. Ascomycetes Sac Fungi 30,000 species Includes truffles and morels Penicillium that flavors cheeses and makes antibiotic Yeast

11. Ascomycetes

12. Basidiomycetes The club fungi The typical mushroom with a stalk and cap Shelf and bracket fungi The mushroom is really the reproductive body-the mycelium is buried

13. Basidiomycetes

14. Typical Life Cycle

15. Club Fungi Life Cycle

16. Imperfect Fungi Not really a classification group Used when we cannot detect a sexual phase of spore production Often includes penicillium and aspergillus

18. Lichens Fungus intertwined with a photosynthetic organism Most of the fungi are sac fungi (Ascomycota) Most of the photosynthetic components are green algae The fungus is usually the larger part

19. Lichens

20. Mycorrhizae: mutualism between a fungus and a young tree root

21. Some are Bad Guys Histoplamosis Athletes foot Ringworm Plant diseases such as Dutch Elm disease, blights, smuts, Chestnut blight