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
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