Fungus

Question 1

name some 2 important fungus’s

Answer 1

• Candida
• Aspergillus

Question 2

how can fungi can be distinguished from other infectious organisms such as bacteria & viruses ?

Answer 2

they are eukaryotes – that is they have a membrane enclosed nucleus and other organelles.

The fungal cell wall & cell membrane are fundamentally different from bacteria.

Fungal cell walls are composed largely of chitin.

Question 3

The fungal cell wall and cell membrane are fundamentally different from bacteria. Fungal cell walls are composed largely of chitin.

Question 4

how is the fungal cell wall different in bacteria and fungus?

what special effect does it give it?

Answer 4

Fungal cell walls are composed largely of chitin.

They are therefore unaffected by antibiotics that commonly are targeted at bacterial cell walls (which are composed of peptidoglycan).

Question 5

how r fungi nourished?

Answer 5

All fungi derive nourishment from a preformed organic carbon source for growth.

They produce enzymes to degrade surrounding material that is then soluble and can cross the cell membrane.

The natural habitat for most fungi is therefore soil or water containing decaying organic matter.

Question 6

what is aspergillus?

what does it commonly effect?

what type of people does it effect?

Answer 6

• found in dust in buildings and in the surrounding environment.
• does not infect people with a normal host immune response.
• People with reduced immunity can be at risk
• Acute Aspergillus infection commonly infects the lung; but other organs can be involved.