Kingdom FungiKingdom Fungi

For many years fungi were classified as plant. However, For many years fungi were classified as plant. However, there are some characteristics that separate these two there are some characteristics that separate these two groupsgroups::

11. Plants have . Plants have chlorophyllchlorophyll which is used for photosynthesis. which is used for photosynthesis.

Fungi do NOT have chlorophyll and get their food from their Fungi do NOT have chlorophyll and get their food from their

environment.environment.

2. Plants have 2. Plants have true roots, leaves, and stemstrue roots, leaves, and stems, fungi do NOT. , fungi do NOT.

3. Plants have cell walls made from 3. Plants have cell walls made from cellulosecellulose, while fungi have , while fungi have

cell walls made from chitin (a tough sugar that is also used for cell walls made from chitin (a tough sugar that is also used for

shells of insects).shells of insects).

Characteristics of Fungi:Characteristics of Fungi: All are All are EukaryoticEukaryotic HeterotrophicHeterotrophic Multi-cellularMulti-cellular Cannot move Cannot move on their ownon their own Are Are SaprophytesSaprophytes (or detritivores) since they (or detritivores) since they

feed on dead or decaying matter. Some are feed on dead or decaying matter. Some are decomposers. decomposers.

Physical Structure:Physical Structure: Made of up of long strands of Made of up of long strands of HYPHAEHYPHAE. .

Hyphae consist of chains of cells or one long Hyphae consist of chains of cells or one long cell with many nuclei. Cytoplasm flows within cell with many nuclei. Cytoplasm flows within the hyphae. The hyphae is surrounded by a the hyphae. The hyphae is surrounded by a plasma membrane and a cell wall. plasma membrane and a cell wall.

HyphaeHyphae

MyceliumMycelium is a chain of hyphae. is a chain of hyphae. Mycelia Mycelia can producecan produce fruiting bodies fruiting bodies. This is a . This is a

reproductive structure of the fungus that grows above reproductive structure of the fungus that grows above ground level. An example is a mushroom.ground level. An example is a mushroom.

As fungi grow, their hyphae extend over As fungi grow, their hyphae extend over the food source, releasing the food source, releasing enzymesenzymes to to digest the food. The nutrients can then be digest the food. The nutrients can then be absorbed across the cell wall. absorbed across the cell wall.

Fungi can take in large amounts of food Fungi can take in large amounts of food due to their mycelium.due to their mycelium.

A rhizoid A rhizoid is a root is a root

like structure. Rhizoidslike structure. Rhizoids

are hyphae that act in are hyphae that act in

absorption of water absorption of water

and aids in support.and aids in support.

The Kingdom of Fungi is very diverse. Usually it is The Kingdom of Fungi is very diverse. Usually it is divided into divided into fivefive main groups: main groups:

1. Primitive Fungi (Phylum Chytridiomycota) 1. Primitive Fungi (Phylum Chytridiomycota) Smallest and simplestSmallest and simplest Mostly aquaticMostly aquatic Spores have flagellaSpores have flagella Some are decomposersSome are decomposers Others are parasites of protists, plants and animals. Others are parasites of protists, plants and animals.

ChytridsChytrids

2. Sac Fungi (Phylum Ascomycota)2. Sac Fungi (Phylum Ascomycota) All form a sac called an All form a sac called an ascusascus. The ascus . The ascus

contains spores for reproduction.contains spores for reproduction. Some examples are Some examples are Saccharomyces Saccharomyces

cerevisiaecerevisiae (yeast) (yeast), Penicllium , Penicllium chyrysogenumchyrysogenum (mold found on oranges) (mold found on oranges), , and Aspergillis flavusand Aspergillis flavus (mold that makes a (mold that makes a toxin, which can contaminate cereals, nuts toxin, which can contaminate cereals, nuts and milk.and milk.

3. Bread Molds (Phylum Zygomycota)3. Bread Molds (Phylum Zygomycota) Most get food from decomposing dead, Most get food from decomposing dead,

decaying matter. decaying matter. Some species form Some species form mycorrhizaemycorrhizae, which , which

are symbiotic relationships between fungi are symbiotic relationships between fungi and roots of plants. The fungi gain carbon and roots of plants. The fungi gain carbon while the plant gains inorganic nutrients. while the plant gains inorganic nutrients.

4. Club Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota) 4. Club Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota) Their fruiting bodies are club-shaped.Their fruiting bodies are club-shaped. Includes mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket Includes mushrooms, puffballs, and bracket

fungi. fungi.

5. Imperfect Fungi (Phylum Deuteromycota)5. Imperfect Fungi (Phylum Deuteromycota) Have no known sexual reproductionHave no known sexual reproduction Asexual reproduction by sporesAsexual reproduction by spores Resemble sac fungiResemble sac fungi Example: penicilliumExample: penicillium Athlete’s foot, and yeast infectionsAthlete’s foot, and yeast infections This phylum is now used informally. Any of the fungi This phylum is now used informally. Any of the fungi

that do not reproduce sexually in the Phylum that do not reproduce sexually in the Phylum Basidiomycota or Phylum Ascomycota are placed into Basidiomycota or Phylum Ascomycota are placed into this group. this group.

Athlete’s FootAthlete’s Foot

Fungal InfectionsFungal Infections

ReproductionReproduction

Depending on the favorability of conditions, fungi Depending on the favorability of conditions, fungi will reproduce either sexually or asexually. will reproduce either sexually or asexually.

During favourable conditions, fungi reproduce During favourable conditions, fungi reproduce asexually. During non-favourable conditions, asexually. During non-favourable conditions, fungi will lean towards sexual reproduction. fungi will lean towards sexual reproduction.

We will focus on two main groups (phyla) of We will focus on two main groups (phyla) of fungi and their life cycles: fungi and their life cycles: Club Fungi Club Fungi and and Bread Molds.Bread Molds.

Sexual reproduction is the formation of a Sexual reproduction is the formation of a new individual following the union of two new individual following the union of two gametes.gametes.

Asexual reproduction is the lack of fusion Asexual reproduction is the lack of fusion of sex cells (sperm and eggs). Offspring of sex cells (sperm and eggs). Offspring are genetically identical to the parent. are genetically identical to the parent.

ReproductionReproduction

In Multi-cellular FungiIn Multi-cellular Fungi Club Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota)Club Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota)

Have club-shaped structures known as Have club-shaped structures known as basidiabasidia (are found on the underside of (are found on the underside of mushrooms). mushrooms).

Spores are produced from the basidia during Spores are produced from the basidia during sexual reproductionsexual reproduction..

Haploid nuclei (1n) within the basidia fuse to form diploid (2n) Haploid nuclei (1n) within the basidia fuse to form diploid (2n) zygotes.zygotes.

Zygotes (2n) then undergo Zygotes (2n) then undergo meiosismeiosis to form haploid to form haploid sporesspores (1n), (1n), which are then released and dispersed by the wind.which are then released and dispersed by the wind.

Upon contact with the ground, the Upon contact with the ground, the sporesspores grow into hyphae of grow into hyphae of opposite mating types, fusing to form a diploid (2n) mycelium opposite mating types, fusing to form a diploid (2n) mycelium underground. underground.

The mycelium grows a new fruiting body (the mushroom), and the The mycelium grows a new fruiting body (the mushroom), and the cycle repeats itself.cycle repeats itself.

Bread Molds (Phylum Zygomycota)Bread Molds (Phylum Zygomycota) Reproduce sexually when their food supply is Reproduce sexually when their food supply is

low, but will also reproduce asexually.low, but will also reproduce asexually.

They produce spores in structures known as They produce spores in structures known as sporangiasporangia. These structures are at the tips of . These structures are at the tips of hyphae. hyphae.

Sexual reproduction occurs between two Sexual reproduction occurs between two hyphae that are of separate types. The hyphae that are of separate types. The hyphae fuse their nuclei together which hyphae fuse their nuclei together which produces a diploid (2n) zygospore.produces a diploid (2n) zygospore.

During the right conditions, a sporangium During the right conditions, a sporangium will form and produces will form and produces haploidhaploid spores. spores.

Spores are released and grow into new Spores are released and grow into new haploid hyphae.haploid hyphae.

The hyphae can then reproduce sexually The hyphae can then reproduce sexually by fusing hyphae nuclei together to by fusing hyphae nuclei together to produce a zygospore, OR they can produce a zygospore, OR they can reproduce asexually by forming haploid reproduce asexually by forming haploid spores in sporangia.spores in sporangia.

Fungi and Symbiotic RelationshipsFungi and Symbiotic Relationships

A A lichenlichen is a is a mutualisticmutualistic relationship relationship between algae and fungi. between algae and fungi.

It consists of fungal hyphae and some It consists of fungal hyphae and some algae cells. The algae cells are algae cells. The algae cells are photosynthetic, making sugars for both the photosynthetic, making sugars for both the algae and fungi. algae and fungi.

Lichens grow on rocks, soils, and trees. Lichens grow on rocks, soils, and trees. These structures are able to withstand These structures are able to withstand severe temperatures.severe temperatures.

LichenLichen

Lichens are used as indicators of the Lichens are used as indicators of the amount of pollution, since they are very amount of pollution, since they are very sensitive to the affects of pollution. sensitive to the affects of pollution.

Lichens are also both a producer and a Lichens are also both a producer and a decomposer. decomposer.