Bio 123: PP9 Flashcards
Mycology
The study of fungi
What are some characteristics of Fungi?
-Around 144,000 known species but because of their diversity there could be anywhere between 2-3.8 million species
- can be multi and uni cellular
-Are all heterotrophs, have extracellular digestion
-most are saprobes
-Cell walls contain chitin which strengthen the cell wall
-Have mutualism, parasitic, and commensal ecological relationships
-Reproduce through spores (sexual and asexual reproduction)
-Diverse life cycles
Saprobes
organisms that absorb nutrients from nonliving organic material (decomposers)
Body of Fungi
Has a mycelium and a hyphae with a cell wall and nuclei
Septate hypha
Nuclei are separated by a septum which contains a pore
Coenocytic hypha
Nuclei are not separated, have free flowing nuclei throughout the hypha
Hypha
Single filaments that compose the mycelium. Contains cell walls, cytoplasms and cellular membrane.
Mycelium
interwoven mass of hyphae; infiltrates the material on which the fungi feed
What are the 3 fungi we need to know?
Chytrids
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
What are some characteristics of Chytridiomycota?
Most ancient group with at least 1,000 species
-lives in lakes and soil
-have flagellated spores (zoospores)
-chytrid fungus has started conservation concerns because it is causing a decline in amphibian population
Chytrid Fungus
Has led to amphibian decline and has a link to climate change because general temperatures are becoming warmer.
Chytrid lives in the skin of amphibians, is parasitic, and basically suffocates the frogs because it clogs the pores on frogs skin.
What are some characteristics of Ascomycota?
-Known as sac fungi
-have around 30,000 species
-spores are produced in ASCI during sexual reproduction
-have large diversity in morphological forms
-can be multicellular and unicellular
What is the defining characteristic of Ascomycota?
-Spores are produced in sacs known as ASCI during sexual reproduction.
What is an example of Ascomycota?
Yeast, and inhaling yeast which causes valley fever
Cordyceps fungus
Can alter the behavior of the organism they invade in order to increase its spread. Is ecologically important because it can help maintain populations and biodiversity