Fungi
Starr/Taggart’s
Biology:
The Unity and Diversity of Life,
Chapter 24
9e
Key Concepts:
Fungi are heterotrophs
Fungi and bacteria are the decomposers of
the biosphere
Fungal enzymes are secreted outside their
body which digest food
Most fungi are multicelled
Fungal spores develop from hyphae
Many fungi are symbionts with other
organisms
Characteristics of Fungi
Premier decomposers
Heterotrophs
Extracellular digestion
Absorption of products
Saprophytic
Parasitic
Major Groups of Fungi
Zygomycota
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota
Life Cycles
Asexually most often
Spores
Mycelium
• Hyphae
• Chitin
Generalized Life Cycle
for Club Fungus
Asexual Reproduction in
Rhizopus stolonifer
Spores and More Spores
Sexual or asexual
Temperature
dependent
Moisture
dependent
Zygosporangium
Basidiospores
Ascospores
Sarcoscypha coccinia
Other Sac Fungi
Molds
Penicillium
Penicillin
Camembert and
Roquefort
cheeses
Aspergillus
Soy sauce
Soft drinks citric acid
Yeasts
Saccharomyces
cerevisiae
Bread, wine and
beer
Candida albicans
Infections
Beneficial Associations
Between Fungi and Plants
Symbiosis
Mutualism
Lichen
Fungus and
photosynthetic
organism
Lichens
Other Symbiotic Relationships
Mycorrhiza
Young tree roots
Mutualistic
Fungi as clues to the environment
Decline correlate with rise in air pollution
Fungi and disease
Histoplasmosis
Poisonings
Skin infections
Pneumocystis carinii
In Conclusion
 Fungi are heterotrophs and major
decomposers
 Most fungi are multicellular
 The main groups of fungi are the
Zygomycetes, the Ascomycetes, and the
Basidiomycetes
 Fungi are classified by the type of spores
they produce
In Conclusion
 Most fungi can produce sexual and asexual
spores
 Lichen are mutualistic associations
between a fungus and a photosynthetic
organism

developed by M. Roig