Fungia. Chytridiomycota- Chytridsb. Zygomycota- Molds c. Glomeromycota- Arbuscular Mycorrhizae

Alma Khan and Shannon Hayes

Basic Structure of Fungi• Most species of fungi are multicellular• Most common body structures are multicellular

filaments and single cells (yeasts)• Multicellular fungi are made up of hyphae• Hyphae may contain septa (divide hyphae into

different cells, but contain pores)• Cells walls composed of chitin (some also

include polysaccharides)• Fungi are composed of Eukaryotic cells.• Some fungi can maintain 2 different nuclei per

cell, and some don’t have mitochondria.

StructureChytridiomycota:• Cells walls made mostly of

chitin (but some are made of polysaccharide)

• Only type of fungi to have flagella

• Ribosomes are around a nuclei (not enclosed in a nuclear cap)

• Smallest and simplest fungi.• Lack Septa

Zygomycota: • Cell walls composed mostly of

chitin (sometimes polysaccharide)• Have a continuous mycelium

containing hundreds or thousands of nuclei.

• Lack Septa

Glomeromycota: • Lack Septa • Some form arbuscular

mycorrhizae

Diversity Chytridiomycota:• Sexual and asexual reproduction• Motile with Flagellated sporesZygomycota:• Sexual spores are thick, therefore resisting

zygospores• Long multinucleate haploid hyphaeGlomeromycota:• Form arbuscular mycorrhizae with plants

Basics of Nutrition

• Heterotrophs• Gain food by secreting powerful hydrolytic

enzymes into their surroundings which brake down complex molecules into smaller organic compounds that the fungi can absorb and store.

• Can act as decomposers, parasites or have a mutualistic relationship.

Mode of NutritionChyridiomycota: • They derive nutrients from

decaying in water and damp organic enriched habitats.

Zygomycota: • Derives nutrients from the organic

material it molds on.

Glomeromycota: • Get nutrients from their mutualistic

relationship with the plant they’ve pushed their hyphae into.

Basics of Reproduction

• Fungi reproduce by producing spores, either sexually or asexually.

• Fungal nuclei are normally haploid, except for when they’re diploid during sexual reproduction.

• Sexual reproduction requires the fusion of hyphae from different mating types (communicated through pheromones)

• Process of asexual reproduction varies widely among fungi (some grow filamentous fungi that produces haploid spores by mitosis while in others, theirs is ordinary cell division or by the pinching of small “bud cells” of a parent cell.

Reproduction of Zygomycota

Chytridiomycota Glomeromycota

Reproduction

Ecological SignificanceChytridiomycota: • Causing a global decline in amphibian

species that inhabit freshwater ecosystems by causing fatal fungal infections.

• Beneficial forms include the fungi found in the intestines of cattle that help them process the plant matter they eat.

Zygomycota: • Live close to plants, usually in

soil or decaying matter.• Contribute to the carbon cycle

by decomposing soil, plant matter, and waste.

• Cause serious infections in humans (specifically harmful for diabetics and those with weakened immune systems), such as Zygomycosis.

Glomeromycota:• Form a mutualistic relationship with

almost 90% of all plant species through Arbuscular Mycorrhizae (supplies minerals and other nutrients to the roots of the plant, and “food” the fungus.)

UniquenessChytridiomycota: • Smallest and simplest fungi.• First found in northern

Russia.• Believed to be the earliest

fungal group to diverge from other fungi.

• Only fungal group to have flagellum present.

• Spores called zoospores

Zygomycota: • Make up about 1% of

fungi.• Most primitive terrestrial

fungi.• Named for their sexually

produced zygosporangia.• Some have structures that

can withstand excessive droughts or extreme temperatures.

Glomeromycetes:• Once considered Zygomycetes• Form arbuscular mycorrhizae

ExamplesChytridiomycota:

• Orpinomyces joyonii- found in the intestines of cattle.

• Allomyces anomalus- can withstand extreme temperatures.

• Synchytrium endobioticum- a species that causes the “potato wart”.

ExamplesZygomycota:

• Molds that are on strawberries and other fruits

• Black Bread Mold

Examples

Glomeromycota:

1. Mycorrhizae formed by Glomeromycota are found in the majority of plants found on land.

2. Not as diverse as other types of fungi.

NameMotile (move with flagella/undulipodia)

Habitat Cell Organization Reproductive Structures

# of Species Known

Septa Between

Cells?

Chytridiomycota Yes Mostly Aquatic Unicellular or Filamentous

Microscopic Sporangium 1,000 No

Zygomycota No Mostly Terrestrial Filamentous Zygospores 1,000 No

Glomeromycota No Mostly Terrestrial (Plants) Filamentous

Spores that resemble

Zygospores160 No

ReferencesBibliographyCampbell, N. A., & Reece, J. B. (2008). Biology 8th Edition. New York: Benjamin-

Cummings Pub Co.Chytridiomycota. (2010, August 7). Retrieved Febuary 21, 2012, from

MicrobeWiki: http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/ChytridiomycotaFarabee, M. (2010, May 18). Biological Diversity: Fungi. Retrieved Febuary 21,

2012, from Biological Diversity 4: www.emc.maricopa.edu/faculty/farabee/biobk/biobookdiversity_4.html

Slot, J. (2005, August 31). Mushrooms, Molds, and Much More: an introduction to fungal biology. Retrieved Febuary 21, 2012, from Teaching the Fungal Tree of Life: http://www.clarku.edu/faculty/dhibbett/TFTOL/content/1introprogress.html#chytridiomycota

Zygomycota. (2010, August 7). Retrieved Febuary 21, 2012, from MicrobeWiki: http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Zygomycota