Introduction to Mycology Flashcards
what is the etymology of the word “mycology”?
mykes = mushroom
logos = discourse
(Greek word)
What is mycology?
study of mushrooms and fungi
what are the 10 importances of fungi?
- known decomposers
- cause of important diseases of plants and animals
- sources of chemicals
- food and food production
- production of harmful secondary metabolites like mycotoxins
- can induce allergies due to toxic mold
- bioremediation and bio-pulping agents
- can be used in biological control schemes
- establish mutualistic partners
- used in experiments as model organisms
what do you call the abnormal kernels?
corn smut
what is the fungal disease that killed millions of bats?
white nose syndrome
what is the cutaneous skin infection caused in humans?
Athlete’s foot disease
what kind of chemical can fungi provide for industries?
molds can provide citric acid
Aspergillus and Penicillium are also sources of chemicals
what fungi give soy sauce?
Aspergillus oryzae
what fungi gives wine?
Saccharomyces
what fungi gives molded cheese?
Penicillium
what mycotoxin is found in contaminated corn?
fumonisin
what mycotoxin is found in contaminated peanut?
aflatoxin
toxic black molds are can grow in _________ and cause allergies
residential houses
what fungi can do mycoremediation?
Sonoran mushroom
how can fungi be used as biological control schemes?
it can be used as entomopathegenic or nematode-trapping fungi
what fungi is used for experiments about circadian rhythm?
Neurospora crassa
what are the 6 characteristics of fungi?
- hyphae
- radial growth
- heterotrophic, external digestion, absorptive nutrition
- reproduce by spores
- chitin-containing fungal cell wall
- ergosterol in cell membranes
what are the microscopic tubular cells of fungi?
hyphae
what do you call the mass of hyphae that can be observed macroscopically?
mycelia
how do fungi digest food?
- excrete digestive enzymes
- digestive enzymes degrade substrate
- hyphae absorb digested food
what substance in cell membrane targets antifungals like triazole?
ergosterol
function of hyphae
structural support and cell differentiation
biggest organism on record
Armillaria gallica / humongous fungus
T/F. Yeast fungi produce hyphae
No, unless dimorphic
what do you call the internal walls of fungi?
septa
