The Fungus Kingdom
Welcome to the Fungus Kingdom!
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Activity: Watch this video clip and write down all
the different references made to fungi
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“Fungus Among Us” Video Clip OR
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THINK!
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What types of fungi were mentioned in the clip?
Which fungi were beneficial and which were harmful?
Characteristics of Fungi
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All fungi share the following characteristics:
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All fungi have a nucleus
All fungi are heterotrophic
All fungi reproduce by spores
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“Characteristics of Fungi” Video Clip
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THINK! – What were 2 characteristics the video clip
mentioned that I didn’t?
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Most fungi are multicellular; YEAST are Unicellular
Fungi have cell walls and they are made of CHITIN
(unlike plants whose cell walls are made of CELLULOSE).
Structure of Fungi
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The bodies of fungi are made up of cell
structures called hyphae.
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Hyphae are threadlike tubes filled with
cytoplasm, a nucleus, & surrounded by
a cell wall.
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Hyphae can be arranged in different ways:
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Fuzzy looking molds have loose hyphae
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Mushrooms have tightly packed
hyphae. They are packed so tightly it
looks solid.
Hyphae can form a large, tangled web called
the mycelium. This mycelium can spread out
very far and is usually hidden in the soil,
wood, or other food source.
Let’s Take a Look at Fungus Structure!
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“Structure of Fungi” Video Clip
Obtaining Food
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Fungi are heterotrophs
meaning that they must seek
out their food.
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Fungi feed by absorbing food
through their hyphae.
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They do not have
stomachs.
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They must externally
digest their food.
To do this, fungi secrete
acids and enzymes from
the hyphae to help break
down the food so it can be
absorbed.
THINK! – Do you know what these mushrooms
are called?
These are called fairy ring mushrooms. They can be found
on lawns where the underground mycelium is absorbing
nutrient from the soil. When the fungus uses up its food
supply in one location, the mycelium spreads out and looks
for more food. This causes a ring to form.
Obtaining Food
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Fungi have several ways to obtain their
food:
 Some are decomposers feeding on
dead organic material like leaves.
Fairy ring mushrooms are
decomposers.
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Some fungi are parasites causing
diseases by using living organisms
for food. Athlete’s foot and
ringworm are two fungal diseases
in humans.
Obtaining Food
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Even still, other fungi can live in an extremely beneficial relationships with
other organisms. This is called symbiosis.
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A lichen is an association between fungi and algae.
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The algae gives the fungi food from photosynthesis.
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The fungi gives the algae protection, water, and minerals.
Relationships between Fungi and Other
Organisms!
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“Relationships Between Fungi and Other
Organisms” Video Clip
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“Leaf Cutter Ants and Fungus” Video Clip
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Watch how the ants and the fungus benefit each other
FAST FACT: Next time
you see this fungus on a
tree trunk, you will know
what it is!
Reproduction in Fungi
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Fungi reproduce by lightweight spores
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Spores are easily carried by wind or water
Only a few of the thousands of spores
produced will grow into a new organism
Fungi produce spores in fruiting bodies
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Mushrooms –The entire part you see is the
fruiting body
Bread Molds – Stalks grow upward and
release spores
Mushrooms spores
Reproduction in Fungi
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Asexual Reproduction
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When enough moisture exists, fungi
reproduce asexually by releasing spores
Unicellular yeast reproduce asexually by
budding
Sexual Reproduction
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In sexual reproduction, the hyphae of two
fungi grow together. A new spore
producing structure grows from the joined
hyphae and produces spores that differ
from each parent.
Classification of Fungi
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Threadlike Fungi
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Produces spores in their
threadlike hyphae
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Also called zygote fungi
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These spores are resistant to
harsh conditions
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Examples:
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bread molds
Fruit molds
“Threadlike Fungi” Video
Clip
Classification of Fungi
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Sac Fungi
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Produces spores in structures that look like sacs
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Examples:
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Yeast
Morels
Truffles
“Sac Fungi” Video Clip
Classification of Fungi
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Club Fungi
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Produce spores in structures that look like clubs
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Examples:
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25,000 species of mushrooms
Bracket Fungi
Puffballs
“Club Fungi” Video Clip
Classification of Fungi
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Imperfect Fungi
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This group of fungi are not
known to reproduce sexually
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Examples:
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Penicillium
“Imperfect Fungi” Video
Clip
THINK! – What is held in the
finger-like structures?
Spores