You should be able to answer these questions after reviewing
the notes.
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Fungi
Characteristics of Fungi
Mycology- study of fungi
Eukaryotic
Heterotrophic decomposers
Multicellular except yeast
(unicellular)
• Lack true roots, stems, &
leaves
• Reproduce by sexual &
asexual spores
• Warm, moist environments
(shade)
List 6 characteristics of fungi.
What is the difference between Hyphae and Mycelium?
What two traits make yeast different from most fungi (like
mushrooms)?
What are the three different reproductive structures used by
fungi?
What is a spore?
What is budding and what type of fungus employs budding for
reproduction?
Define Mycorrhizae.
How are fungus used to makes food and how are fungus
harmful?
Structure
Draw this in you notes
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Recent molecular
evidence suggests fungi
are closely related to
animals than to the plants.
Hyphae and Mycelium
Multi vs Unicellular
Hypha
Mycelium
Yeast- unicellular
Multicellular- fungi
is composed of
hyphae
No hyphae
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Classification
• Fungi are classified
according to
structures used
during reproduction
Fungus Reproduction
• Asexual (identical clones) and Sexual
Cup Fungi
Thread-Like
Club Fungi
Asexual
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•
Reproductive cells divide to
form spores.
Spores –cells with dehydrated
cytoplasm & a protective coat
capable of developing into new
individuals
• Budding
– Wind, animals, water, &
insects spread spores
– When spore lands on moist
surface, new hyphae form an
identical parent.
– (a small yeast cell
grows from the body of
a fungus. Eventually
breaks away. Cycle
repeats)
Sexual
• Sexual
– Hyphae of two fungi
grow together and
genetic material is
exchanged. New
structure grows from
joined hyphae
How do they Eat?
• Absorptive heterotrophs
– fungus grow hyphae into a
food source.
– Digestive juices ooze from the
tips of the hyphae.
– These juices break down the
food.
– The hyphae then absorb the
dissolved food
• Some fungi
– break down decaying organisms.
– live as parasites on other living
organisms (athlete's foot)
Ecological Roles
• Lichens
– a symbiotic relationship
between a fungus and a
photosynthetic partner, usually
algae
• The fungi hyphae provide
protection and hold moisture while
food is provided by the
photosynthetic partner.
– Can be used as pollution
indicators
• retain and accumulate nutrients
from air and rainfall-heavy metals,
sulfur, radioactive elements, NO2,
and ozone
Do you know what
“symbiotic” means?
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Ecological Roles cont…
• Mycorrhizae:
Economic Role
• Used directly as food…
– a symbiotic relationship
between a fungus and plant
roots.
– mushrooms
• Over 90% of plants have
fungi associated with their
roots.
• Fungus absorbs and
concentrates phosphates
for delivery to the plant
roots. In return, the fungus
receives sugars
synthesized by the plant
during photosynthesis
• …or to make food
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–
–
–
Cheeses (Blue Cheese)
wine, beer, and whiskey (Yeast)
bread rise
soy sauce from soy beans
• Used to break down materials and recycle
wastes and dead organisms
• Used to make certain drugs (ex. Penicillin)
Harmful Fungus
• Food spoilage
• Plant disease such as
rusts and smuts
• Human diseases (ring
worm athlete’s foot)
• Destroy leather,
fabrics, plastics, etc. In athlete’s foot, hyphae actually penetrate
the skin and grow through the cells.This is
why you can’t scrape the fungus off your foot.
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