1. Unit 6 Microorganisms & Fungi Ch. 21 Fungi

2. What are Fungi?  Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs that have cell walls  Chitin - makes up cell walls, a complex carb. also found in the external skeletons of insects

3. Structure & Function of Fungi  Hyphae - thin filaments that make up multicellular fungi

4. Structure & Function of Fungi  The bodies of multicellular fungi are composed of many hyphae tangled together into a thick mass called a mycelium  Mycelium - absorbs food, has a large surface area to come in contact with the food source

5. Structure & Function of Fungi  Fruiting body - a reproductive structure growing from the mycelium in the soil beneath it

6. Reproduction in Fungi  Most fungi reproduce both asexually & sexually  Sporangia - structure where spores are produced

7. Classification of Fungi  The kingdom Fungi has over 100,000 species  They are classified according to their structure & method of reproduction  The 4 main groups of fungi are: common molds, sac fungi, club fungi, & the imperfect fungi

8. Classification of Fungi  The Common Molds grow on meat, cheese, & bread  There are more than 30,000 species of sac fungi, making it the largest phylum of the kingdom Fungi

9. Classification of Fungi  Club fungi gets its name from a specialized reproductive structure that resembles a club

10. Classification of Fungi  The imperfect fungi are so named because our understanding of their life cycles may not be perfect  A sexual phase has never been observed in their life cycles

11. Ecology of Fungi  All fungi are heterotrophs  Many are saprobes - organisms that obtain food from decaying organic matter

12. Ecology of Fungi  Fungi as Decomposers: Fungi play an essential role in maintaining equilibrium in nearly every ecosystem, where they recycle nutrients by breaking down the bodies & wastes of other organisms Fungi play an essential role in maintaining equilibrium in nearly every ecosystem, where they recycle nutrients by breaking down the bodies & wastes of other organisms

13. Ecology of Fungi  Fungi as Parasites: Parasitic fungi cause serious plant & animal diseases Parasitic fungi cause serious plant & animal diseases A few cause diseases in humans A few cause diseases in humans

14. Ecology of Fungi  Symbiotic Relationships: Some fungi form symbiotic relationships in which both partners benefit Some fungi form symbiotic relationships in which both partners benefit 2 such mutualistic associations, lichens & mycorrhizae, are essential to many ecosystems 2 such mutualistic associations, lichens & mycorrhizae, are essential to many ecosystems

15. Ecology of Fungi  Symbiotic Relationships: Lichens - mutualistic relationship between a fungus & an alga or a cyanobacterium, or both Lichens - mutualistic relationship between a fungus & an alga or a cyanobacterium, or both

16. Ecology of Fungi  Symbiotic Relationships: Mycorrhizae - associations of plant roots & fungi Mycorrhizae - associations of plant roots & fungi