The Kingdom Fungi

Mysterious Molds,

Mildews, Yeasts, and Mushrooms

Fungi Characteristics

Kingdom Fungi

Eukaryotic

Heterotrophic

Can be unicellular or multicellular

Have cell walls made of chitin (tough carb)

Fungal Structure

Hyphae: Thread-like filaments

Mycelium: A mat of many hyphae

Spores: Reproductive cells of fungi

Mushroom Structure

Cap/pileus

Gills: Spores are produced and dropped from the gills

Stipe/stalk: Stem, formed from mycelium (many hyphae filaments)

Ring (annulus)

Fungi are Heterotrophs

Fungi must consume food

Fungi are NOT plants

Plants make their own food from light energy (producers)

Fungi Nutrition

Fungi absorb food from their environment

Large organic molecules (like carbohydrates) are broken down by enzymes

The small, broken down molecules diffuse in

Many fungi are decomposers

Also called saprophytes

Decomposers break down, or decompose, the bodies of organisms

Nutrients are returned to the soil by decomposers

Saprophytes or Parasites?

Can be both!

Parasitic fungi absorb nutrients from a living host

Ex. Athlete’s foot, ringworm, yeast infections

Saprophytic fungi absorb nutrients from a dead host (decomposers)

Reproduction in FungiCan be sexual or asexual

Asexual: Budding or spores

Sexual: hyphae fuse and form spores

Yeast Reproduce by Budding

Budding: Part of the cell pinches off to form a new one (yeast)

Fragmentation: Part of the hyphea breaks off, forms new organism

Environmental Importance

Nutrient Recyclers

Partner with other organisms in symbiotic relationships

Both partners benefit- mutualism

Lichens: fungi & algae

Mycorrhizae: plant & fungi

Beneficial Uses

Foods

Mushrooms, some cheeses, yeast used in baking, brewing, wine-making

Medical

Antibiotic penicillin

Yeast used in ethanol production

Alcoholic fermentation!!

Classification (based on reproduction)

Phylum Zygomycota- Spores in spheres on filament

Ex. bread mold

Phylum Ascomycota- Spores in saclike structure (ascus)

Ex. yeast, morels, penicillium

Classification Continued

Basidiomycota- Spores in a clublike structure

Ex. mushrooms

Deuteromycota- Asexual reproduction only

Fungi imperfecta

Ex. Athlete’s foot

Morel

Gyromitra- False Morel

Not safe to eat

When cooked it produces a volatile toxin called mono methyl hydrazine that is used in rocket fuel! (Not safe to inhale)

Death Cap

Most poisonous mushroom in North America

Half a cap is enough to kill a human

Fungal Applications

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rcIL2ywmjsQ