Fungi Flashcards
What roles do fungi play in terrestrial ecosystems?
Fungi are critical for soil-plant interactions (e.g. mycorrhizal fungi) and act as primary decomposers in land ecosystems, crucial in the carbon cycle.
What are mycorrhizal fungi?
Fungi that form from mutualistic associations with plant roots, enhancing nutrient uptake.
What is a saprophyte?
A fungus that digests dead plant material, playing a major role in decomposition
How do fungi feed?
Fungi feed by absorption through hyphae using enzymes for extracellular digestion
What are structural forms of fungi?
Single-celled fungi are called yeast, while multicellular fungi form weblike bodies called mycelia
What are hyphae?
The individual filaments in fungal mycelia
What is a septum in fungi?
A pore-like division in hyphae that creates compartments, allowing the cytoplasm to flow
Why do fungi have high surface area to volume ratio?
To increase absorption efficiency though it makes them prone to drying out
What are the main reproductive structures used to classify fungi?
Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, basidiomycota, ascomycota
How do fungi reproduce sexually?
Through plasmogamy (fusion of cytoplasms) followed by karogamy (fusion of nuclei)
What is unique about fungal mating types?
Fungi do not have sexes but have mating types
What are Chytridiomycota (chytrids)?
Aquatic fungi with motile spores and gametes that use flagella
What are Zygomycota?
Primarily soil fungi that form zygosporangia and include saprophytes, parasites, and predators
What are Basidiomycota (club fungi)?
Fungi that produce spores on pedestal-like structures called basidia, often forming mushrooms
What are Ascomycota (sac fungi)?
The largest fungal group, forming spores in sac-like structures (asci); includes penicillium and saccharomyces cerevisiae
