Fungus - General Overview

Question 1

General Characteristics of Fungi

Answer 1

• Molds, Mushroom and Yeasts
• Chemoheterotrophic
• Have cell walls (chitin and Glucan)
• No photosynthesis ( lack chlorophyll)

Question 2

Morphology of Fungi

Answer 2

• Vegetative body is THALLUS
• Molds –> Hyphae ( long branched, tubular filaments)
  +Septate or Aseptate
• Yeasts, Buds ( small globular)
• Dimorphic fungi ( yeastlike or moldlike thalli)

Question 3

Reproduction in fungi

Answer 3

• SOME means of asexual reproduction (mitosis and cytokinesis)
• MOST reproduce sexually

Question 4

Reproduction in fungi

YEAST

Answer 4

Budding and asexual spore formation

• Yeasts buds in manner similar to prokaryotic budding
• produce long filament called pseudohyphae (several buds remain attached) which can invade tissues penetrating intercellular cracks
• Filamentous fungi produce lightweight spores over large distances

Question 5

Reproduction in fungi

MOLDS

Answer 5

Representitive asexual spores of molds
- Sporangiospores 
\+form inside a sac (sprangium) born on a stalk ( spangiophore)
-Chlamydospores 
\+ inside hyphae
-Conidia
\+produced at the tips of the hyphae

Question 6

The Significance of Fungi

Answer 6

1) MOST are beneficial microorganisms
- Decompose dead organisms and recycle their nutrients
- Produce Antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporin) and other drugs (immunosuppressive drug cyclosporine, cholestrol reducing mevinic acid)
2) SOME are casue of disease
- MYCOSES: diseases in plants,, animals and humans (30%)
- 4 species are TRUE PATHOGENS for humans
- Others are OPPORTUNISTIC fungi