Domain: Eukarya
Kingdom:
Fungi overview
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Basic Characteristics
Important ecologically
Phyletic groups
Lichen and Mutualism
Amy’s little tidbits of
“wisdom”
Basic Characteristics
• Heterotrophic absorbers
• Saprophytes
• Some unicellular but others multicellular with
hyphae
– Hyphae divided by septum
– Chitinous cell walls
• Filaments make up mycelium
• Rhizoids anchor
• Sexual and Asexual reproduction
Sexual and Asexual reproduction
• Sexual
– Three phases:
• Plasmogamy = N + N
• Karyogamy  2N
• Mieosis 2N ÷
• Asexual
– Spores from sporangia and specialized hyphal cells
called conidia
– Fragmentation
• Dispersal by air or water
Ecological Importance
Present everywhere
• Many lifestyles
– Decomposers
– Symbionts
– Pathogens
– Parasites
• Medicinal uses
Decomposers
Rust
Common food
spoilage
Phyletic groups
• Four phyletic groups
– Chytridomycota
– Zygomycota
– Ascomycota
– Basidiomycota
• One polyphyletic group
– Deuteromycetes
Chytridiomycota
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Predominately aquatic
Glycogen stores
Coenocytic
Motile cells gametes and zoospores
Anchoring rhizoids
Pathogens and saprophytes
Coenocytic membranemany nuclei, but no
partitions in between the
cells
NUCLEUS
CELLS
Zygomycota
• Zygosporangia and
zygospores
• Coenocytic hyphae
– Streaming cytoplasm
• Pathogens
• Parasites,
saprophytes,
symbionts with
endomicrorhyzae
Rhizopus sporangium
Zygomycota: Bread molds… mmm
Ascomycota
“sac fungi”
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75% of fungi
Ascus, ascopsores
Dikaryotic hyphae
Ascogonium and
antheridium
• Molds, yeasts, edible
truffles
• Lichens
Up close and personal with the Ascus
Ascospores
Asci
More Asci fun!!!
Why are there 8 ascospores in each ascus?
Ascomycota Lifecycle
Basidiomycota
• Basidiospores and
basidium
• 37% of true fungi
• Most recognizable
• Edible
• Molds, smuts
• Symbionts, parasitic
• Sori: pack of spores
Cross section of basidioma
Hyphae
stalk
Spores
Gills
Gill
Basidiospores
A close-up of a Basidiomycota gill and clusters of
basidospores
This is part of the sexual reproduction before karyogamy
Deuteromycetes
“The imperfect fungi”
• Life cycles unknown
or lost
• Penicillin, athletes
foot, ring worm
• Reproduction by
conidia
– Most like Ascomycota
• terrestrial, free living
saprobes, parasitic
Lichens: I’m Lichen It!
• Ms. Algae and Mr. Fungi got together and
started to Lichen each other. But soon,
their relationship was on the Rocks!
Seriously Folks……
• Important Symbiotic Relationship
– Algae Photosynthesize
– Fungi Absorb Nutrients, Protection,
Anchorage Function
• First Step in Erosion Soil Makers
• Crustose, Foilose, Fruticose Shapes
• AMAZING REGENERATIVE
PROPERTIES
Fruticose lichen
Mutualistic Relationships
• Mycorrhizae: “Fungi Root”
• Form Relationships with Plants
to Increase Water Uptake!
– Mycorrihizae Fungi Also Protect
Plant from pathogenic Fungi and
Nematodes
– In exchange, Fungi receive food as
payment
• Very Important For Plants’
Survival
Amy’s Little Tidbits of
Wisdom
• Mushrooms are yummy
• Edible mushrooms aren’t in your
backyard… only in the stores
• Why is the bread green?
Truffles are not chocolate
If you see a fairy ring… dance inside
(don’t eat).
The Fungals:
Anne, Amybeth, Allison
The Triple ‘A’ Threat!
Coming to a lab near you!!
Yes, I mean you. You are reading this aren’t
you?