FUNGI
FungiGeneral Characteristics
• eukaryote
• absorptive heterotroph - saprobe or parasite
• cell walls made of chitin
• multicellular (except for yeast)
• reproduce with spores
Structure
• hyphae
– filaments of cells, tubes with many nuclei
• mycelium
– (tissues) branches of hyphae; main body of fungus
• rihizoids
– root like hyphae that anchor fungus
• stolons
– stem-like hyphae that run along surface of a food source
Fungi
Structure
hyphae
Fungi
Structure
mycelium
Fungi
Fungi are classified based on their
reproductive structures
(how they produce spores)
Fungi
Digestion
– extracellular digestion
• enzymes are secreted into food source
• food source is digested by enzymes
• nutrients are absorbed by fungus
Fungi
Life Cycle
• fungal spores dispersed
– Spores that reach food source – germinate
• hyphae penetrate into food
– Nutrients are absorbed
• mycelium grows from the food
– fruiting body is made
• releases spores
Fungi
Phylum Zygomycota
• common name - common molds
• ex – bread mold
• reproduction
– asexual – spores from sporangium
– sexual - zygospore forms when hyphae of different sexes fuse together; thick walled zygospore is formed
• uses – parasite, saprobe
Fungi
Phylum Basidiomycota
• common name – club fungi
• ex – mushrooms, shelf fungi, smuts, rusts, puffballs
• reproduction
– basidiospores
– basidia – club shaped structure where spores form on gills
• uses – many are edible; plant disease; poisonous (toadstools)
Fungi
smuts rusts
stinkhorn shelf fungi
Fungi
puff balls
mushrooms
Fungi
Phylum Ascomycota
• common name – sac fungi
• ex – yeast, powdery mildews, morels
• reproduction
– asexual – conidiophores (clusters of spores)
– sexual – ascospores produces in
ascus (sac like structure)
• uses – brewing, baking, research, plant diseases, some are edible
Fungi
Morels
Yeast Powdery mildews
Fungi
Phylum Duteromycota
• common name – imperfect fungi
• ex – penicillium, ring worm, athlethe’s foot, jock itch
• reproduction
– only asexual
• uses – penecillin / antibiotics, soy sauce,
bleu cheese, citric acid
Fungi
ring worm
Fungi
Athlete’s foot
(ring worm)
Nail fungus
(ring worm)
Fungi
Phylum mycophyta
• common name – lichen
• mutualistic relationship
– fungus & green algae, neither could live alone
– algae provides food, fungus provides protection and minerals
• reproduction (skip)
• uses – food for animals, pioneer species, starts soil in some places
Fungi
lichen
Fungi