1. Fungi

2. Introduction High points - fermented beverages, leaven bread
Low points - athletes foot, jock itch, that pink stuff that grows on your shower curtain

3. Shared Characteristics
Distinctive fungal features
Fungi are heterotrophs.
Fungi have several cell types.
Fungi have cell walls that include chitin.

4. The Body of a Fungus
Fungi exist mainly in the form of slender filaments (hyphae).

5. The Body of a Fungus
Fungi cell walls are formed of polysaccharides and chitin.
not cellulose like those of plants

6. How Fungi Reproduce
Fungi are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction.
Fungi reproduce sexually after two hyphae of opposite mating type fuse.

7. How Fungi Reproduce Spores most common means of reproduction
may form from asexual or sexual processes
most often dispersed by wind but some spread by insects or other small animals

8. How Fungi Obtain Nutrients
All fungi obtain food by secreting digestive enzymes and then absorbing the organic molecules produced (external digestion).
extensive hyphae network provides enormous surface area for absorption

9. Four Major Groups of Fungi
Five groups
Chytridiomycota
Zygomycota
Basidiomycota
Ascomycota
Deuteromycota
Means “second-
fungi. Actually an
Artificial grouping
“Imperfect” fungi-penicillin, athlete’s foot

10. Chytridiomycota
aquatic, flagellated fungi (only fungus to have flagella)

11. Zygomycota
includes common bread molds
Life cycle includes a zygospore (contains zygotes formed during sexual phase of mold’s life cycle)

12. Basidiomycota (club fungi)
Most familiar fungi (mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, rusts, and smuts)
Basidia are found on the underside of the mushroom cap

13. Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
Very large group including yeasts and cup fungi
Named for the ascus, reproductive structure that contains spores
Life cycle includes both sexual and asexual reproduction-during asexual reproduction the spores are called conidia

14. Ecology of Fungi
Fungi and bacteria are the principal decomposers in the biosphere.
Fungi often act as disease-causing organisms for both plants and animals.
agricultural damage
human health

15. Ecology of Fungi
Mutualistic associations
lichens - fungi and green algae/ plants
mycorrhizae - fungi and plant roots

16. Lichens
Lichens are symbiotic associations between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner.

17. Mycorrhizae
Roots of about 90% of all kinds of vascular plants are involved in mutualistic symbiotic relationships (mycorrhizae).

18. Mutualistic Animal Symbioses
A range of mutualistic fungal-animal symbioses has been identified.
Ruminants – fungi in gut – release enzymes
leaf-cutter ants – fungal gardens

19. Fungal Parasites and Pathogens

20. Fungi in History- Ergot Poisoning
The Salem Witch Trials
Toxicologists now know that eating ergot-contaminated food can lead to a convulsive disorder characterized by violent muscle spasms, vomiting, delusions, hallucinations, crawling sensations on the skin, and a host of other symptoms — all of which, are present in the records of the Salem witchcraft trials

22. References Information Images
Miller, . (2005). Biology. Upper Sadle River, NJ: Prentice Hall.
Star, , & Taggert, . (2004). The Unity and diversity of life. US: Thomson.
Images