Characteristics of FungiCharacteristics of Fungi

EukaryoticEukaryotic Cell walls contain carbohydrate-chitinCell walls contain carbohydrate-chitin Multicellular (except yeast)Multicellular (except yeast) Reproduce- asexually/sexually Reproduce- asexually/sexually

(spores)(spores) Heterotrophic Heterotrophic –– absorption absorption ””digest digest

then ingestthen ingest”” (hyphae) (hyphae) Mostly immobile (sessile) Mostly immobile (sessile)

Basic Structure of a Basic Structure of a FungusFungus

The body of fungus The body of fungus made thin strands made thin strands called called hyphaehyphae..

As hyphae grow, form As hyphae grow, form tangled mass called tangled mass called myceliummycelium..

Hyphae grow on/in Hyphae grow on/in ““food sourcefood source”” releasing enzymes that releasing enzymes that digest food outside digest food outside their body.their body.

Hyphae 1 cell thick- Hyphae 1 cell thick- facilitates facilitates diffusion/absorption.diffusion/absorption.

Hyphae Mycelium Mushroom

ReproductionReproduction Fungi produce sporesFungi produce spores SporesSpores = reproductive cells = reproductive cells Spores withstand harsh Spores withstand harsh

conditions by becoming dormantconditions by becoming dormant Favorable conditions cause Favorable conditions cause

spores form new fungusspores form new fungus Spores made both asexually and Spores made both asexually and

sexuallysexually Fungi reproduce asexually when Fungi reproduce asexually when

environmental conditions are environmental conditions are favorable.favorable.

Fungi reproduce sexually when Fungi reproduce sexually when environmental conditions are environmental conditions are unfavorable.unfavorable.

Fungi do not have male/female- Fungi do not have male/female- instead instead ““++”” and and ““--”” mating mating types.types.

Groups of FungiGroups of Fungi

Fungi classified 4 major groups Fungi classified 4 major groups based on their sexual based on their sexual reproductive structure:reproductive structure:

1) Zygomycota1) Zygomycota

2) Ascomycota2) Ascomycota

3) Basidiomycota3) Basidiomycota

4) Deuteromycota4) Deuteromycota

Phylum ZygomycotaPhylum Zygomycota Smallest groupSmallest group ““MoldsMolds”” - ex) bread mold - ex) bread mold Specialized hyphae:Specialized hyphae:

--rhizoidsrhizoids: : ““rootsroots”” penetrate/anchor fungus to penetrate/anchor fungus to bread, release enzymes bread, release enzymes digest food source, and digest food source, and absorb nutrientsabsorb nutrients

Asexual reproduction: Asexual reproduction: sporangiophores:sporangiophores: hyphae hyphae that grow up into the air that grow up into the air produce produce sporangiumsporangium store store spores.spores.

Spores usually carried by airSpores usually carried by air Sexual reproduction: Sexual reproduction:

zygosporezygospore formed when +/- formed when +/- hyphae fusehyphae fuse

Phylum Ascomycota (sac Phylum Ascomycota (sac fungi)fungi)

Largest GroupLargest Group ex) yeast, mildew, morels, truffles, cup fungiex) yeast, mildew, morels, truffles, cup fungi Asexual Reproduction: hyphae called conidiophores Asexual Reproduction: hyphae called conidiophores

produce conidia (spores) produce conidia (spores) Sexual Reproduction: form spores called Sexual Reproduction: form spores called ascosporesascospores in in

““saclikesaclike”” structures called an structures called an ascusascus Each ascus bursts open shooting spores into the airEach ascus bursts open shooting spores into the air

Phylum Basidiomycota (club Phylum Basidiomycota (club fungi)fungi) ex) mushrooms, toadstools, bracket fungiex) mushrooms, toadstools, bracket fungi

The part of the mushroom that lives above ground is The part of the mushroom that lives above ground is called the called the ““fruiting body.fruiting body.””

Rarely reproduce asexuallyRarely reproduce asexually Sexual Reproduction: spores called Sexual Reproduction: spores called basidiosporesbasidiospores

form under caps of mushrooms on structures called form under caps of mushrooms on structures called basidiabasidia

Phylum DeuteromycotaPhylum Deuteromycota

ex) Penicillin, ex) Penicillin, many disease many disease causing fungi.causing fungi.

No sexual phase No sexual phase in life cyclein life cycle

Spores are Spores are produced produced asexually.asexually.

Harmful FungiHarmful Fungi Parasites (+/-) Parasites (+/-)

cause disease in cause disease in plants and plants and humanshumans

Plants: corn smut, Plants: corn smut, mildew, wheat mildew, wheat rustrust

Humans: athlete’s Humans: athlete’s foot, ringworm, foot, ringworm, histoplasmosishistoplasmosis

Helpful FungiHelpful Fungi

1) Decomposers1) Decomposers

2) Food and food production 2) Food and food production (yeast)(yeast)

3) Antibiotics: 3) Antibiotics: Penicillin/ErythromycinPenicillin/Erythromycin

Helpful Fungi (cont.)Helpful Fungi (cont.)4) Mutalistic relationship (+/+) with plants 4) Mutalistic relationship (+/+) with plants Mycorrhizae Mycorrhizae –– plant root and mycelium fungi plant root and mycelium fungi PlantPlant provides food from doing provides food from doing

photosynthesisphotosynthesis FungusFungus absorb water/minerals and breaks absorb water/minerals and breaks

down nutrients in soil down nutrients in soil

Helpful Fungi (cont.)Helpful Fungi (cont.)5) Lichens - mutualistic relationship, fungus and

cyanobacteria/algae Cyanobacteria/algaeCyanobacteria/algae provides food from doing provides food from doing

photosynthesisphotosynthesis FungusFungus absorb water/minerals absorb water/minerals