Fungus
Chapter 8-2
Fungi
•All are
eukaryotic
just like
protists
•Multicellular
(only one exception
-yeast)
How do Fungi eat?
• Fungi are heterotrophs,
meaning they cannot
make their own food like
plants.
• Fungi send out long,
threadlike structures
called hyphae which
absorb minerals and
water from the soil.
How do Fungi eat?
•Hyphae create
a network of
large tangles
called the
mycelium.
•The fruiting
body is also
made of hyphae
What are Fungi?
• Scientists group fungi into four(4)
different groups based on how they
look and how they reproduce.
– Four groups of fungi: club fungi, sac
fungi, zygote fungi, and imperfect fungi.
• Almost all fungi reproduce asexually by
producing spores which are small
reproductive cells with a strong,
protective outer covering.
Reproduction
• Most reproduce
asexually by
spores
Kinds of Fungi
• Zygote
Mold
• Sac
Yeast
• Club
Mushroom
• Imperfect
Blue cheese
Club
Fungi
• The familiar umbrella shaped mushroom belong
to the group called club fungi
• The part of the mushroom that grows above
ground is a structure called a basidiocarp.
• The basidia are the reproductive structures
inside the basidiocarp that produce sexual
spores.
Mushrooms
(Club Fungi)
– Four parts make up
the basidiocarp
• Cap- opens to
release spores
• Gills- under cap;
hold spores
• Spores- make a new
organism
• Stalk- stem-like part
Gills- grooves under the cap
Stalk- Under the Microscope
• Not all are edible
some are poisonous
• You cannot tell a
poisonous mushroom
from a non-poisonous
mushroom in the wild
Other Club Fungi
• Bracket
• Smut
Sac Fungi
• Largest group
• Examples:
–
–
–
–
Yeasts
Powdery mildew
Truffles
Morels
Sac Fungi
• The ascus is the reproductive structure
where spores develop on sac fungi.
• Many sac fungi cause diseases in
plants and animals while others are
harvested by people for food.
• Many yeasts are sac fungi, including the
common yeast used to make bread.
• Yeast uses sugar (as food) to produce CO2 and
alcohol.
• Trapped Carbon Dioxide bubbles cause dough
to rise
Yeasts
–Reproduce
asexually by
budding
–Only
unicellular
fungi
Dutch Elm Disease
(caused by parasitic yeast)
Zygote Fungi
• Bread Molds, a shapeless &
fuzzy are a type of zygote fungi.
• The hyphae of a zygote fungus
grow over materials, such as
bread, dissolving the material and
absorbing nutrients.
Zygote Fungi
• Tiny stalks called zygosporangia form when the
fungus undergoes sexual reproduction and
release spores called zygospores.
• Reproduce asexually– Zygoporangia break open and release
spores
• Can reproduce sexually– Two hyphae join and develop zygosporangia
Bread mold- under the
microscope
Sporangia
(spore cases)
Hyphae
Imperfect Fungi
• Imperfect fungi are named because
scientists have not observed a sexual, or
“perfect,” reproductive stage in their life
cycle.
The Importance of Fungi
• Fungi play important roles
in human food production.
• Products such as bread,
cheese, soy sauce and
cola drinks are produced
using fungi
• Although some are
harmful, some are helpful
and make important
medicines
– Ex. Penicillium notatum
makes penicillin
The Importance of Fungi
• Fungi are important to the environment
because they decompose dead plants &
animals matter and help recycle nutrients
for the soil.
May
October
Lichens
• Combination of a fungus and an alga
• Found everywhere
– Grow on rocks and trees
• Live in a symbiotic relationship
– Fungus provides shelter, water and minerals
– Alga lives inside the fungus and provides food by
photosynthesis
Lichens
• Plants and animals benefit from lichens because the
fungi help break down rocks and create soil where plants
can grow, creating a food source for other organisms
• Lichens improve conditions for other organisms