Bad fungi Flashcards
Give 3 threats from fungi to humans
food-related, economic damage, fungal pathogens
What is fly agaric?
a toxic mushroom
Name two of the most poisonous mushrooms
death cap and destroying angel
What do amatoxins do?
they inhibit RNA polymerase II, stopping cell metabolism and causing cells to go into lysis.
Describe the biphasic clinical pattern following consumption of a poisonous mushroom
initial period of acute symptoms: headache, dizziness, nausea, shortness of breath, coughing, etc, following by a 12-24hr “recovery” but then the failure of multiple organs (liver and kidney).
What is ergot?
a pathogenic fungus which effects grains such as rye, wheat & barley, causing them to produce fungal bodies. Consumption affects your nervous and vascular system.
What is the difference between rusts and smuts?
Rusts typically have two hosts, whereas smuts typically have one host .
What is dutch elm disease?
a tree pathogen infection in Europe and the US
What are the three types of wood-decaying fungi?
brown rot, soft rot and white rot
What does dimorphic mean?
grows as yeast and filaments (e.g. candidiasis - thrush)
What are the causes and effects of aspergillosus?
inhaling spores of aspergillus spp. (A) - effects lungs, sinuses, blood stream etc.
What are the causes and effects of cryptococcus
caused by inhaling spores of cryptococcus spp. - infects lungs, enters blood stream and CNS, causing meningitis etc.
