Introduction to Fungi:Evolution, Characteristics and

Life Cycle

BIOL 1407

Fungi

• http://www.poetv.com/video.php?vid=16788

• Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, Enchanted Rock Field Trip 2005

Characteristics of Fungi

• Absorptive heterotrophs

• Cell walls made of chitin

• No flagella (most)• Photo Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL 1407 Bastrop Field

Trip 2004

Fungal Hyphae

• Hyphae– Thread of cells– One cell thick– High surface area

to volume ratio

Fungal Hyphae

• Hyphae– Absorb water,

ions, nutrients– Gas exchange– Waste disposal

Hyphal Types

• Septate• Coenocytic

Fungal Body

• Mycelium• Loosely

woven mat of hyphae

• Feeding structure

Reproductive Structures

• Made of hyphae

• Different shapes for different fungal groups

Reproductive Structures

• Make spores, either by mitosis or meiosis

• Some are called “fruiting bodies”

Heterokaryon

• Formed after plasmogamy

• n + n• Unfused nuclei from

both parents

Dikaryon• Special type

of heterokaryon

• Long-lasting• As cells

divide, cells retain n + n

Fungal Lifestyles

Saprobes = Decomposers

Fungal Lifestyles

Parasites

Fungal Lifestyles

Predators

Fungal Lifestyles

Mutualists: Mycorrhizae

Fungal Lifestyles

Mutualists: LichensPhoto Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005

Types of Lichens

Crustose

Types of Lichens

FoliosePhoto Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005

Types of Lichens

FruticosePhoto Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL

1407 Bastrop Field Trip 2004

Evolution of Fungi

• Earliest fossil fungi– Fungal spores– 460 million years old

Opisthokonts

• Sister taxon to Fungi: Nucleariids

The End

Unless otherwise specified, all images in this presentation came from:

Campbell, et al. 2008. Biology, 8th ed. Pearson Benjamin Cummings.