KINGDOM FUNGI

KINGDOM FUNGI

Fungi (p) & Fungus (s)

The Kingdom Fungi was once classified as part of the Plant Kingdom

There are many similarities between these two Kingdoms

SIMILARITIES OF THE PLANT & FUNGI KINGDOMS

Cells are Eukaryotic

Most are anchored in soil or other substrate

Reproduction can be asexual or sexual

DIFFERENCES

Plants Fungi

One Nucleus per cell May have more than one nuclei per cell

Most are autotrophs Heterotroph

Starch is the main storage for the molecule

Have few to no storage molecules

Have cellulose in cell walls Often have chitin in cell walls

Some reproduce with seeds No seed reproduction all reproduce with spores

Most have roots No roots

WHY FUNGI ARE IMPORTANT

1. Major Decomposers on Earth and responsible for the nutrient recycling

2. Can have symbiotic relationships with other organisms

3. Food i.e. mushrooms & truffles

4. Used in the food industry for bread, soy sauce and blue cheese

5. Production of alcohol

6. Used in food products:

Yeast in bread, wine and beer

Penicillium produces an antibiotic

Aspergillus flavours soft drinks

WHY FUNGI ARE IMPORTANT?

Some cause serious plant diseases

Some cause serious diseases in animals and humans

STRUCTURE OF FUNGIHyphae (singular hypha): structural units that make up the body. Multicellular and made of thread-like filaments

Mycelium (plural mycelia): branching network that live in the soil and on other nutritious substances

Fruiting Body: reproductive structure (spores) and the part that is visible above ground

Fungal NutritionRelease enzymes that break down food externally, then absorb nutrients from the food through their cell membranes

Parasitic: absorb nutrients from the living cells of a host organism

Predatory: soil fungi whose mycelia trap prey in the soil

Mutualistic: have relationship with other organism. the mycelia increase the absorptive surface of the roots and the fungus receives sugar from the plant

Saprobial: feeds on dead organisms or organic waste

4 types:

Fungal ReproductionBoth sexual and asexual

Asexual forms: spore production, budding (small cell develops while attached to the parent cell and eventually pinches off), fragmentation (piece of mycelium breaks off and forms new individual)

Sexual forms: airborne spores (haploid cell) produce a new mycelium if it reaches a suitable environment

Fungal ClassificationFungi Kingdom has 6 phylum taxa

1. Fungi Imperfecti ex penicillium, cheese

2. Chytrids ex aquatic species and decaying material

3. Zygospore ex common moulds on food

4. Sac Fungi ex yeast

5. Club Fungi ex mushrooms

6. Lichens ex grown on plants and rocks