Introduction to Fungi:
Evolution, Characteristics and
Life Cycle
BIOL 1407
Fungi
• http://www.poetv.
com/video.php?v
id=16788
•
Photo Credit: Field Biology Student,
Enchanted Rock Field Trip 2005
Characteristics of Fungi
• Absorptive
heterotrophs
• Cell walls made of
chitin
• No flagella (most)
•
Photo Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL 1407 Bastrop Field
Trip 2004
Fungal Hyphae
• Hyphae
– Thread of cells
– One cell thick
– High surface area
to volume ratio
Fungal Hyphae
• Hyphae
– Absorb water,
ions, nutrients
– Gas exchange
– Waste disposal
Hyphal Types
• Septate
• Coenocytic
Fungal Body
• Mycelium
• Loosely
woven mat of
hyphae
• Feeding
structure
Reproductive Structures
• Made of
hyphae
• Different
shapes for
different
fungal groups
Reproductive Structures
• Make spores,
either by mitosis
or meiosis
• Some are called
“fruiting bodies”
Heterokaryon
• Formed after
plasmogamy
• n+n
• Unfused nuclei from
both parents
Dikaryon
• Special type
of
heterokaryon
• Long-lasting
• As cells
divide, cells
retain n + n
Fungal Lifestyles
Saprobes = Decomposers
Fungal Lifestyles
Parasites
Fungal Lifestyles
Predators
Fungal Lifestyles
Mutualists: Mycorrhizae
Fungal Lifestyles
Mutualists: Lichens
Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005
Types of Lichens
Crustose
Types of Lichens
Foliose
Photo Credit: Field Biology Student, 360 Overlook 2005
Types of Lichens
Fruticose
Photo Credit: M. Hirsch, BIOL
1407 Bastrop Field Trip
2004
Evolution of Fungi
• Earliest fossil fungi
– Fungal spores
– 460 million years old
Opisthokonts
• Sister taxon to Fungi: Nucleariids
The End
Unless otherwise specified, all images in this presentation came from:
Campbell, et al. 2008. Biology, 8th ed. Pearson Benjamin Cummings.