Kingdom FungiCommon Characteristics

• Cells are eukaryotic• All cells are surrounded by a cell wall containing

chitin, not cellulose like plants• Most are multicellular (yeast are single-celled)• Reproduction is sexual and asexual, by producing

spores • They are heterotrophs (no autotrophs/Chloroplasts)• Many are stationary and anchored in the soil, but

without true roots

• Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers.• Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds)• Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust)• Some form mutualistic relationships

Bread Mould, Yeast, Mushrooms

FUNGI

Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers.Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds)Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust)Some form symbiotic relationships (a relationship where both organisms benefit).

Fungal Structures• They DO NOT have chloroplasts• The have long, thread-like microscopic cells

called hyphae, which form masses called mycelia

• The hyphae grow in and around a food source, secreting digestive enzymes and absorbing nutrients into the fungus.

Growth

• Cells grow at the tips only• This allows them to colonize dead or living

organic matter

Nutrition

• All fungi are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients from other organisms

• The obtain this nutrition by extra-cellular digestion and absorption, not by ingestion

Reproduction

• Fungi reproduce by spores, which are single cells surrounded by a wall

• Spores are carried by air currents to new sources where they give rise to new hypha

• Asexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by mitosis

• Sexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by meiosis

Fungi Phyla (fill in from pg 81) Phylum Key Features

Chytridiomycota

Zygomycota

Glomeromycota

Ascomycota

Basidiomycota

Fungus and History?Vampires & Werewolves

and Witches ?

Wheat Rust Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fungus that grows on the ears of rye plants. It produces the chemical active in the psychedelic drug LSD.

Historically, places/cultures who have developed folklore around witches, vampires etc relied on a diet of rye /rye bread. It is possible that eating wheat rust made you act odd or believe you had seen odd things !

Biological Importance of Fungi

• Ecological: • plants rely on fungi to obtain nutrients (symbiotic

relationship) lichen• Master Decomposers • Cause some diseases in animals and plants (athletes foot )

Biological Importance of Fungi

• Economic: • Many edibles (most basidiomycotes) Button, shitake, truffles, crimini, portabello, • Yeast (ascomycota) are integral to the making of bread, wine and

beer, particularly (S. cerevisiae)• Required to make certain cheeses (blue, swiss, etc)• Medicine !!!! Penicillin , cyclosporin (used in organ transplants) • Increase productivity of crops when working symbiotically• Cause crop related diseases like apple scab, bread mould etc.