Chapter 31 Fungi
Study Guide
Important Figures
Fig 31.2, 31.3, 31.4, 31.5, 31.13, 31.17, 31.19, 31.21, 31.24, table on pg 652.
Key Terms
absorption
chitin
cytrids
ergot
heterokaryon
lichen
mycorrhizae
plasmogamy
arbuscular mycorrhizae
coenocytic
dikaryon
exoenzymes
hyphae
Microsporidia
mycosis
septa
Ascomycota
conidia
ectomycorrhizae
Glomeromycota
Imperfect fungi
mold
soredia
yeasts
Basidomycota
cytrids
endomycorrhizae
haustoria
karyogamy
mycelia
pheromones
Zygomycota
Key Concepts
1) Approximately how many fungal species are currently known? Do mycologists think that we know all of
the species of fungus that are on the planet? Explain.
2) What are the basic characteristics of all fungi?
3) Compare and contrast fungal and animal nutrition. What feeding characteristics do they share? What
are two major ecological roles of fungi?
4) Draw the basic structure of a fungus, labeling fruiting body, mycelium, and hyphae.
5) Draw both coenocytic hyphae and septate hyphae.
6) What is the function of haustoria? What types of fungi would have haustoria?
7) Draw a generalized fungal life cycle, labeling diploid, haploid and heterokaryon stages. How is a
heterokaryon formed? Also include plasmogamy and karyogamy in your diagram. Can coenocytic
hyphae form dikaryotic hyphae? Can septate hyphae form dikaryotic hyphae? Explain.
8) If plasmogamy occurs without karyogamy, what would the resulting hyphae look like? How do
pheromones play a role in plasmogamy?
9) How do dikaryotic hyphae differ from haploid or diploid hyphae?
10) Compare and contrast Zygomycota, Glomeromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota. How do their
life cycles differ? Draw the life cycle and give a representative species for each group.
11) In Zygomycetes, how do sporangia differ from zygosporangia and how do the spores produced by each
structure differ?
12) How common are glomeromycete-plant interactions? What type of mycorrhizae do glomeromycetes
form?
13) How do conidia differ from ascospores?
14) When fungi grow, do they get longer or fatter hyphae? Why is this advantageous? How does a fairy
ring form?
15) Most fungi have both sexual and asexual means of reproduction. What is the advantage of each form?
16) Why are deuteromyctes fungi not part of zygomycetes, ascomycetes, or basidiomycetes?
17) Describe the relationship between endophytes and the plants with which they associate.
18) How is a leaf-cutter ant dependent upon fungi?
19) How do skin mycoses differ from systemic mycoses and which is a more serious infection? Give
examples of both types of fungi.
20) What are lichens? How do they reproduce?
21) What are mycorrhizae? How do arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi differ from ectomycorrhizal fungi? How
do they impact plant growth?
22) Describe three separate, practical uses humans have for fungi.
23) How may Phanerochaete chrysoporium help reduce the cost of textbooks?
24) What psychoactive compound is found in ergot of rye?