Introduction to Fungi

Question 1

What is a fungus?

Answer 1

A chemo-organotrophic eukaryote that lacks chlorophyll and forms spores

Question 2

Describe the cell walls of fungi

Answer 2

Polysaccharide cell wall, typically chitin or glucan

Question 3

Describe the membranes of fungi

Answer 3

Contains ergosterol as the principle sterol

Question 4

What is the classification of fungi mainly based on?

Answer 4

Morphology

Question 5

What are the informal types of fungi?

Answer 5

Moulds, yeasts or mushrooms

Question 6

What are the three formal types of fungi?

Answer 6

Basidiomycetes, Ascomycetes, Zygomycetes

Question 7

Describe basidiomycete fungi

Answer 7

Hyphae stalk ends in basidium consisting of basidiospores connected to stalk by sterigmata

Question 8

Describe zygomycete fungi

Answer 8

Rough walled zygote containing one of more zygospores

Question 9

Describe Ascomycete fungi

Answer 9

Ascospores are contained within a sac (ascus)

Question 10

What is a spore?

Answer 10

Small, typically single celled reproductive unit capable or giving rise to a whole new organism without sexual fusion

Question 11

What is a dermatophyte?

Answer 11

A fungus that uses the skin protein keratin as a food source

Question 12

Describe the most common dermatophytic infections and their nomenclature

Answer 12

Ring worm infections - Usually called tinea… (body location e.g. capitis, facei, barbae etc.)