Duncan Basics of Fungal Organisms Flashcards
Prokaryote vs Eukaryote
Prokaryote lacks a cell nucleus
Eukaryote has a cell nucleus
Do archaea cause disease in humans?
No
Are fungi prokaryotes or eukaryotes?
Eukaryotes
Important Characteristics of Fungi
Cell wall
Cell membrane
Nucleus
Fungal Cell Wall
Made up of chitin
Fungal Cell Membrane
Contains ergosterol
Types of Fungi
Yeasts
Molds
Dimorphic Fungi
Yeasts
A fungal cell growing in isolation from others as a single cell
Molds
Multicellular organism
Dimorphic Fungi
Mold in the cold, yeast in the heat
Septate Fungi
Individual cells retain their cell membranes
Nonseptate Fungi
Multiple nuclei in a single cytoplasm
Fungal Reproduction
Fungi can switch back and forth between asexual and sexual reproduction
Asexual - budding/haploid
Sexual - mating/diploid
When do fungi switch to asexual reproduction?
When they are under stress
Fungal Metabolism
Cannot photosynthesize, must obtain carbon food from environment
Fungal Energy Production
Mitochondria for aerobic respiration
What is chitin made up of?
N-acetyl glucosamine (NAG)
Fungal Ribosome
60S - large subunit
40S - small subunit
Contains peptidyl transferase center
Have fungal toxins been used to create new drugs?
Yes, ergot toxin is used to make ergot derivative drugs to treat migraine
Fungal Diagnosis
Microscopic examination (KOH, special stains)
Culture (Sabouraud’s agar)
DNA-based tests - PCR
Serologic tests - antibody testing
Main way fungi get into the body to cause systemic infection
Inhalation
Neutrophil to Macrophage Response to Aspergillus
