Introduction to fungi Flashcards
what is a fungus?
chemo-organic eukaryote that lacks chlorophyll and forms spores.
what does the cell wall of a fungus contain?
polysaccharides, often chitin or cellulose
what is the major sterol of the fungal membrane?
ergosterol
what is the mycelium?
the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae
what are the three groups of fungi?
basidiomycetes
ascomycetes
zygomycetes
what is the difference between the asexual spores of basidio and ascomycetes and zygomycetes?
zygomycetes asexual spore is sporangiospore as opposed to conidium
what is the structure of a basidiomycete?
basidiospores sit on top of the basidium, which is attached to the hypha
what is the structure of an ascomycete?
ascospores contained within a sac (ascus)
what is the structure of zygomycetes?
a rough walled zygote contains one or more zygospores
what are yeasts?
fungi that favour a unicellular habit
what diseases are caused by dermatophytes?
"ringworm" or TINEA: capitis facei barbae corporis cruris manum pedis unguium
when would conidiophore be released?
when nutrients are low and the fungi needs to try and sporulate (spread)
what are some causative agents of dermatophytosis (tinea)
epidermophyton microsporum and trichophyton spp
what is a causative agent of pityriasis versicolor?
malassezia spp., which are yeasts that also form hyphae in infected skin
when would a candida infection be fatal?
in immunocompromised patients where it can affect the deep organs.
what host factors can increase pathogenicity of fungal infections?
favourable (warm, moist) micro environments
broad spectrum antibacterial agents can reduce competition for epithelial colonisation sites in the gut
any immunosuppression