What are the characteristics of What are the characteristics of Fungi?Fungi?

Most Multicellular (except yeast: unicellular)

Eukaryotes – cells contain a nucleus

Heterotrophic – are consumers like animals (eat food)

Most are decomposers (recycle)

Cell walls composed of chitin

Structures of FungiStructures of Fungi

Body made of mycelium (grows below ground)

Fruiting body- part that reproduces (grows above ground)

Mycelium and fruiting body made of hyphae- string-like structures

Mycelium

Fruiting body

Hyphae

The Structure of a Mushroom

III. Growth and ReproductionIII. Growth and Reproduction

Most Fungi develop from a spore into a hyphae, then a mycelium

Spores are microscopic- they are everywhere!1. Spores are easily carried by wind or animals

When conditions are favorable a fruiting body can grow overnight!

1. Fungi like warm, moist environments

Can reproduce sexually or asexually1. Sexually -Involves 2 mating types (+) and (-)

FERTILIZATION

MEIOSIS

HYPHAE FUSE

Fruiting body (N+N)

Button

+ Mating type (N)

- Mating type (N)

Basidiospores(N)

Zygote (2N)

Basidia (N + N)

Gills lined with basidia

GillsStalk

Base

Cap

Haploid

Diploid

Figure 21-8 The Life Cycle of a Basidiomycete

Page 534Production of sex cells

How are Fungi classified?How are Fungi classified?

Divided into major groups based on structure and reproduction

Zygomycetes- The common molds ex: black bread mold

Zygomycetes http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/courses/biol105/Lectures/Section4/4b4d1_31_06.jpg

How are Fungi classified?How are Fungi classified?

Divided into major groups based on structure and reproduction

Zygomycetes- The common molds ex: black bread mold

Ascomycota- The sac fungi ex: yeast

http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/courses/biol105/Lectures/Section4/4b4d1_31_06.jpg

How are Fungi classified?How are Fungi classified?

Divided into major groups based on structure and reproduction

Zygomycetes- The common molds ex: black bread mold

Ascomycota- The sac fungi ex: yeastBasidiomycota- The club fungi ex: mushroom

Basidiomycota http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/courses/biol105/Lectures/Section4/4b4d1_31_06.jpg

Basidiomycota http://mercury.bio.uaf.edu/courses/biol105/Lectures/Section4/4b4d1_31_06.jpg

How are Fungi classified?How are Fungi classified?

Divided into major groups based on structure and reproduction

Zygomycetes- The common molds ex: black bread mold

Ascomycota- The sac fungi ex: yeast

Basidiomycota- The club fungi ex: mushroom

Deutermycota- The imperfect fungi (no known sexual life cycle) ex: Penicillium

Deutermycota: Deutermycota: Ex: PenecilliumEx: Penecillium

Imperfect fungi

Ecology of FungiEcology of Fungi

Decomposers – recycle nutrients

During the Revolutionary WarDuring the Revolutionary War

The British lost more ships to

fungal rot than to

enemy fire

Ecology of FungiEcology of Fungi

Pioneer species- important for soil formation

lichen- break down rock into soil; it is symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism

Densely packed hyphae

Layer of algae/ cyanobacteria

Loosely packed hyphae

Densely packed hyphae

Lichen Structure

Fungus provides protection

Algae provide food

Lichen is a pioneer species and help with the formation of soil.

The acids in the lichens break down the rock over time and these particles of rock mix with dead lichen to form soil.

Ecology of FungiEcology of Fungi

Pioneer species- important for soil formation; break down rock into soillichen- very important pioneer species; it is

symbiotic relationship between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism

Mycorrhizae- symbiotic relationship between plants and fungus; plant gets water and nutrients and fungus gets a place to live on the roots of the plant

Ecology of FungiEcology of Fungi

Mycorrhizae- symbiotic relationship between plants and fungus

Important in Baking and Brewing -making bread and other products

Eaten as foods

Truffles

Truffle

Blue Cheese: Penicillium roquefortii is used in the manufacture of blue cheeses e.g. Roquefort, Gorgonzola, Stilton, Danish Blue etc. During the fermentation process the fungus spores are injected into the curd. Growth of the fungus imparts a pleasant tang to the final product. By the way, the blue in the blue-cheese is caused by the pigment in the spores (conidia) of the fungus. So, when you eat blue cheese you are consuming spores by the million.

Eaten as foods

Responsible for crop damage (as much as 50% in tropical areas)

Eaten as foods

Responsible for crop damage (as much as 50% in tropical areas)

Cause human diseases and illnesses

athletes foot

Eaten as foods

Responsible for crop damage (as much as 50% in tropical areas)

Cause human diseases and illnesses

athletes foot

ringworm

Eaten as foods

Responsible for crop damage (as much as 50% in tropical areas)

Cause human diseases and illnesses

athletes foot

ringworm

thrush

Used in medicine production: penicillin, high blood pressure, pain medications

THE END