FungiThe Kingdom of Fungi

What are Fungi?Eukaryotic

heterotrophsCell walls made

of chitinMost multicelluar

◦ Except yeastAbsorb nutrients

from decaying matter or bodies of hosts

Structure of Fungi

Bodies of fungi are made of a thick mass of hyphae called a mycelium◦Hyphae- thin

filaments

Reproduction in FungiAsexually

◦Budding- yeast◦Breaking off of cells or hyphae

◦Spores- conidia By mitosis

Sexually◦Hyphae grow together

◦Gametangia are formed

Classifying Fungi

Sac Fungi◦Rhizoids- like roots

◦Stolons- like stems that run along the surface

Stolon

Club FungiBasidium- spore bearing structureStipe- stalk

Imperfect Fungi

No sexual reproductive phase observed

Penicillium notatum◦Grows on fruit◦Source of

antibiotic penicillin

Fungi as DecomposersRecycle nutrients

by breaking down the bodies and wastes of other animals

Can you imagine a world without decomposers?

Without decay, nutrients in dead organisms would be lost forever!

Fungi as Parasites

Can cause serious plant and animal diseases even in humans!

Wheat rustCorn smutAthlete’s footRingworm

LichensNot single

organismsSymbiotic

association between fungus and a photosynthetic organism

Resistant to cold and drought

Mycorrhizae

Mutualistic fungi with plant roots

Allow host plant to absorb more nutrients and water