Name: _______________________________
Bio 20
GROWTH OF FUNGI INVESTIGATION: Reference Green Text: p. 320-326
Purpose: to examine examples of kingdom fungi (mushrooms and molds) and the features which make
them so plentiful.
MATERIALS
(per team of 2)
DAY ONE
DAY TWO
_________________________________________________________________
plastic glass (please do not damage so
microscope
they may be reused)
slide
square of white paper
cover slip
razor blade or scalpel
cotton swab
1 fresh mushroom
DAY ONE PROCEDURE
1.
Examine a fresh mushroom (Agaricus bisporus). The mushroom itself is the reproductive body of
this particular fungus. It consists of a stalk and an umbrella-like cap. Sketch the reproductive
body in the space below and label stalk and cap.
2.
Use the blade or scalpel to carefully cut the cap from the stalk to expose the gills. Label the
location of the gills on your diagram.
3.
Look at the underside of the cap and find the gills. Place the cap, gill side down, on the
square of white paper with your group member names on it.
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4.
Place your mushroom cap and square of paper on the white tray and cover the cap with the
glass to protect it from air currents.
5.
Using Figure 12.19 on page 323, sketch and label a basidium with attached spores.
Your Sketch Here:
6.
Using your notes from class, determine which phylum this mushroom belongs in.
PHYLUM _______________________
DAY TWO PROCEDURE
1. Remove the glass and lift the cap straight up from the paper. Replace the glass on the paper.
What do you observe on the paper? Sketch what you see in the space below.
2. Obtain a cotton swab, tilt the glass and use the swab to transfer a small amount of this material
to a slide. Add a drop or two of water and a cover slip. Discard the swab.
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3. Examine the slide under low, medium and high power.
Sketch one mushroom spore in the space provided.
Approximately how many particles are present on the slide? (your best estimate)
Make an estimate of the total number of particles coming from the mushroom.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
1)
Why is the world not covered with mushrooms?
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2)
3)
How numerous would mushrooms be if they produced only a small fraction of the
number of spores you calculated for one mushroom?
Of what advantage is this large spore production to a fungus?
Part 3: Examining Slides:
A)
B)
Select a slide called Rhizopus nigricans (bread mold) from the slide box at the front of the room.
Examine the slide at low, medium and high power. Select whichever power gives you the best
image and draw this image. Be sure to calculate magnification of the slide. Be sure to label the
Zygospore (dark brown, spiky looking sphere)and Hyphae
Use the last page of this lab to draw your image.
**Remember to estimate the number of cells across and which power you are
using. Please note that you must calculate magnification by measuring and
counting an individual hyphae or zygospore. You cannot just measure your entire
drawing of different types of cells. Pick one cell type and use that to calculate
magnification.**
C)
Take a look at the unlabelled slide of bread mold and check to see if you can locate the
Zygospores and Hyphae.
** Too help you out with this section use the diagrams provided for you (i.e. the bread mold and
mushroom lifecycle).*** in your duotang
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Demonstration Bench:
Be sure to check out the displays that are set up in the classroom. Fill in the table.
Name of Fungi
Phylum
Describe how it looks...
1)
2)
3)
4)
5)
6)
7)
8)
9)
10)
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Discussion Questions:
4)
A)
What phylum does Rhizopus nigricans mold belong to?
B)
What conditions must exist in order for bread mold to develop?
5)
Suggest one way to prevent mold food items from becoming moldy.
6)
A) Should you be concerned about the growth of mold in your home? Why?
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B) Suggest one way to prevent the growth of mold in your home.
Conclusion:
(Explain two things related to this lab that you have learned about Kingdom Fungi)
You should hand in:
1) these handouts
2) Biological drawing of bread mold (make sure everything is labelled
properly and that you have completed magnification calculations)
**** Use the paper on the following page for your drawing.
Biological Drawing Bread Mold
 0—1—2—3—4—5
 Pencil ____
 Title ____
 Drawing
(Great, Good, Average, Cells not reflecting actual slide, getting
disorganized, more effort for next time)

Labels _____
- Zygospore
- Hyphae

Labels lined up to one side
 Size of Drawing ____;
 Magnification calculations
(Good) (check calculations, check size of drawing in micrometres,
check step 1, check step 2) ___;
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Bread Mold Drawing . . .
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