The Kingdom Fungi What are Fungi Fungi are

The Kingdom Fungi What are Fungi? Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs that have cell walls made of chitin.

The Kingdom Fungi l 1. 2. 3. 4. Structure and Function Multicellular, except yeast. Composed of tiny filaments called hyphae. Mycelium-hyphae tangled together to form main body of fungi. Fruiting bodyreproductive structure that develops from mycelium.

The Kingdom Fungi Nutrition -Fungi digest food outside of their bodies or cells by secreting enzymes into the food source and then absorbing the digested food. l

The Kingdom Fungi l 1. Reproduction Asexual a. cells or hyphae break off and begin to grow. b. spores – reproductive cell formed from mitosis *Sporangia is the spore producing structure at the tip of specialized hyphae called sporangiophores.

The Kingdom Fungi Reproduction continued 2. Sexual -involves two different mating types or strains (plus and minus). -when hyphae of opposite mating types meet, each forms a gametangium that forms gametes. The gametes of each type join to form a zygote. l

The Kingdom Fungi Classification of Fungi l Fungi are classified according to their structure and method of reproduction. l The four phyla of fungi: 1. Zygomycota-common molds 2. Ascomycota-sac fungi 3. Basidiomycota-club fungi 4. Deuteromycota-imperfect fungi

The Kingdom Fungi Phylum Zygomycota -common molds found on meat, cheese, and bread. -Structures common to bread mold (Rhizopus stolonifer) 1. rhizoids-rootlike hyphae 2. stolons-stemlike hyphae 3. sporangium-spore case l

The Kingdom Fungi Phylum Ascomycota -Sac fungi, cup fungi, and yeasts -Largest phylum of the kingdom. -Named for the ascus, a reproductive structure that contains spores. l

The Kingdom Fungi Phylum Basidiomycota -Club fungi -Name comes from a reproductive structure that resembles a club called a basidium. -Examples: mushrooms, shelf fungi, jelly fungi, and puffballs. l

The Kingdom Fungi Phylum Deuteromycota -Imperfect fungi -Extremely varied phylum -Imperfect refers to fungi that do not appear to have sexual reproduction. -Example: Penicillum l notatum

The Kingdom Fungi Ecology of Fungi A. All fungi are heterotrophs *saprobes-organisms that obtain food from decaying organic matter. *parasites-live directly on or within an organism and harms it. *symbionts-live in close and mutually beneficial association with other species. l

The Kingdom Fungi Ecology of Fungi continued B. Fungi as decomposers *found in every ecosystem. *speed the breakdown of dead organisms. *help recycle nutrients and essential elements. C. Fungi as parasites *parasitic fungi cause plant and animal diseases and some cause diseases in humans. *Examples: athlete’s foot, yeast infections l

The Kingdom Fungi Ecology of fungi continued D. Symbiotic relationships – mutualistic associations between a fungi and another organism. 1. Lichens – a fungus and a photosynthetic organism (either green alga or a cyanobacterium, or both) *photosynthetic organism provides fungus with a source of energy. *fungus provides water and minerals it collects to the alga or bacterium. l

The Kingdom Fungi Ecology of fungi continued D. Symbiotic relationships continued 2. Mycorrhizae – relationship between plant roots and fungi. *fungi aids plant in absorbing water and minerals. *plant provides fungi with products of photosynthesis. l