KINGDOM: Fungi, DOMAIN: Eukarya

Description:

Fungi are heterotrophs that absorb their food.

Description (cont.)

• They are almost all multicellular

• They are all eukaryotes.

• They have cell walls made of chitin.

– (Plant cell walls are made of cellulose.)

Where do Fungi Live?

• Moist habitats world wide

Common Examples: mushrooms, yeast, bread mold

Mode(s) of Nutrition

• Fungi are adapted to absorb their food from the

environment.

• Fungi absorb food through hyphae

• Fungi are NOT producers!!! They are CONSUMERS!!!

– (Plants have chlorophyll and photosynthesize.)

.

Fungi reproduce sexually and asexually.

• Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.

• Ex. Yeasts:

- reproduce asexually through budding.

– form asci during sexual reproduction.

Budding yeast

• All fungi form spores and zygotes.

Sporangia are structures that produce spores.

Spores

Sporangia

Parts of a Typical Fungus:

–hyphae = long strands of

the fungi body

– mycellium = long tangled

masses of hyphae

– fruiting body = a

reproductive structure visible

above ground

Diagram

Classified by: How they reproduce and shape

of their fruiting body.

Fungi Main Groups and Examples

• Primitive fungi are aquatic and have flagellated spores.

• Sac fungi form a reproductive sac, or ascus.

– Ex. Yeasts are single-celled sac fungi.

– Ex. Morels and truffles are multicellular sac fungi.

Morels Moss cup fungi: Scarlet Elf Cup

• Bread molds are often found on spoiled food.

– form zygospores during reproduction

– mycorrhizae belong to this group

Fungi come in many shapes and sizes.

• Club fungi have fruiting

bodies which are club-

shaped.

– reproductive structures

called basidia

– include: mushrooms,

puffballs, and

shelf fungi

Puffballs release a cloud of spores

when the fruiting body matures

and bursts.

• Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles.

– distinctive reproductive

structures

– life cycles may include either sexual or asexual reproduction or both

• Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles.

– life cycles may include either sexual or asexual reproduction or both

• Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles.

How Fungi Help Man

• Food – we eat many forms of fungi

– Ex. Mushrooms, Truffles, Morels

– Many foods are flavored by fungi action

– Some alcoholic beverages are made by fungi

– Fungi (Yeast) make bread dough rise

•Medicines- many antibiotics are produced from

fungi

•Fungi are studied for many purposes.

How Fungi Hurt Man

• Fungi can be pathogens of man:

– Diseases include: atheletes foot, ringworm, some

forms of respiratory illnesses, yeast infections

•Fungi can be pathogens of animals and crops:

•Cost farmers $$$

19.5 Diversity of Fungi

• Fungi can act as pathogens.

– human diseases include ringworm and athlete’s foot

– plant diseases include Dutch elm disease, peach scab,

and gray mold on strawberries

Dutch elm disease is

spread by the adult elm

bark beetle as they lay

their eggs.

Athlete’s foot

Special Roles in Ecosystems

19.5 Diversity of Fungi

Fungi may be decomposers or mutualists.

• Fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers in any

ecosystem.

– decompose dead leaves, twigs, logs, and animals

– return nutrients to the soil

– But, can damage fruit trees and wooden structures

19.5 Diversity of Fungi

• Fungi can act as mutualists = both organisms in relationship benefit.

– Ex. Mycorrhizae form between fungi and plants

– Helps plants absorb nutrients by adding length and

increased surface area to their roots

19.5 Diversity of Fungi

• Fungi can act as mutualists

– Ex. lichens form between fungi and algae (or

cyanobacteria)

– Help aid in soil development by breaking down rocks

19.5 Diversity of Fungi

– relationships form between fungi and some insects

• Fungi can act as mutualists.

Leaf cutter ants bring leaves back to their

nests to provide food for fungi. The ants

then eat the growing fungal mycelium.