Fungi

Question 1

What are the types of fungi?

Answer 1

Most are filamentous (hyphae and mycelia). Others are yeast (unicellular)

Question 2

What is different about the cell wall of fungi compared to other organisms?

Answer 2

The cell wall contains chitin which is just above the cell membrane, above the chitin are beta-glucans and above that are manno proteins.

Question 3

What type of fungi are the ones found as mold on bathroom walls?

Answer 3

Filamentous

Question 4

How many species of yeast are there?

Answer 4

1500

Question 5

What is the commonly known yeast called bakers or brewers yeast?

Answer 5

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Question 6

Discuss pathogenic yeasts from cryptococcus neoformans

Answer 6

Cryptococcosis. Present in soil, decaying wood, tree hollows and bird droppings, infection is acquired by inhalation. It typically occurs in immunocompromised people and may cause pneumonia like illness or meningitis, it is not contagious from person to person

Question 7

Discuss pathogenic yeasts from cryptococcus gattii

Answer 7

Cryotococcosis. Present in sound and sub tropical regions. Infection is acquired by inhalation. The disease may occur in healthy people, those with lung disorders, smokers and immunocompromised people, it may cause pneumonia like illness or meningitis. It is not contagious from person to person

Question 8

Discuss Candida albicans

Answer 8

Causes candidiasis. Normal inhabitants of skin and mucosal surfaces in humans may be overthrown by environmental imbalances. There may be oropharyngeal candidiasis known as thrush, genital/vaginal candidiasis and invasive candidiasis which is usually associated with a hospital stay

Question 9

Name 4 common indoor molds

Answer 9

1. Cladosporium
2. Alternaria
3. Aspergillus
4. Penicillium

Question 10

Many people are sensitive to molds causing nasal stiffness, eye irritation, wheezing and skin irritation, what is this called?

Answer 10

Sick building syndrome

Question 11

What is aspergillosis?

Answer 11

One of the diseases caused by breathing in spores. Allergic reactions from breathing in spores is common or lung infections and infections of other organs

Question 12

What is histoplasmosis?

Answer 12

A fungal illness caused by histoplasmosis which lives in soil especially soil rich in bird/bat droppings. While most people are fine, those who are immunocompromised are at risk. Lung infections may become systemic and usually spread to the brain and spinal cord. It is not contagious person to person

Question 13

What is chytridiomycosis?

Answer 13

Caused by batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, causing global population decline in frogs

Question 14

What is white nose syndrome?

Answer 14

Bat deaths due to pseudogymnoascus destructans that colonize bat skin

Question 15

What is fusarium causing?

Answer 15

The disease of cereal crops

Question 16

What does ophiocordyceps unilateralis do?

Answer 16

Infects insects- causes ants to move to cool forest floors, remain attached to leaf until death and rupture, releasing spores

Question 17

How could global warming increase human fungal disease?

Answer 17

By selecting fungi that can multiply at higher temperatures and increasing geographic range of current pathogenic species