Lesson 6: Fungi Flashcards
Kingdom Fungi
Eukaryotic
Unicellular and Multicellular
Heterotrophic
Cell walls made of chitin
Some are saprophytes (decomposers), others
parasites (harm other organisms) while others
still are symbionts (live on but do nor harm
other organisms).
All produce powerful digestive enzymes that
they secrete into their food, then absorb the
nutrients into their cells.
the body of most fungi develops
from a spore into a thread like
hyphae which grows rapidly and
branches repeatedly until it
resembles a tangled mass of threads
called a mycelium.
Yeast are an exception (they are
unicellular)
Fungal Reproduction -
Asexual
Spores produced in sporangia and
fragmentation are two methods of
asexual reproduction.
Budding is used by the unicellular
yeast.
Fungal Reproduction -
Sexual
Hyphae of two different mating
types (‘+’ and ‘-’) can fuse to form
a gamete forming structure
(gametangium).
Two fused gametes form a
diploid zygote nucleus which
then divides by meiosis.
Phylum Oomycota:
Protist-like Fungi
Mildew
Aquatic
Parasitic on land plants and fish.
Cell walls contain cellulose not
chitin.
Spores swim using a flagellum (only
fungus with motile spores)
Ex. Plasmopara viticola, the downy
mildew of grapes. Almost wiped out
the European wine industry.
Phylum Zygomycota:
Common Moulds
Most species are terrestrial organisms
found primarily in soil
Black Bread Mold, Rhizopus
stolonifera, not only grows on Bread,
but anywhere there is water and
nutrients.
Common Molds life cycles includes
both Asexual and Sexual Stages.
Phylum Ascomycota: Sac
Fungi
Largest phylum
Include yeasts, morels and
truffles
Saprophytes that feed off of
dead organisms
Sexual and asexual
reproduction
Phylum Basidiomycota:
Club Fungi
Commonly referred to as
mushrooms
Saprophytes that live off
of dead organisms
Mushrooms, toadstools,
bracket fungi, puffballs
Poisonous Mushrooms
of Nova Scotia
Squirrels & other rodents
often feed on Fly Agaric, but
this does not mean the
fungus is edible by humans.
While ingestion of a single
mushroom may cause no
lasting effects, consumption
of ten or more can be
FATAL.
Phylum Deuteromycota:
Imperfect Fungus
Cannot be placed in any other
phyla because their sexual
reproduction has never been
observed
Resemble many of the other
phyla
Penicillium
Fungi in Nature
Made up of 2 organisms: sac fungi
and algae
Live on rocks, trees and soil
Food for some animals
Help in the formation of soil by
breaking down rock.
Fungi and Humans
Bread and alcohol industries rely on yeast.
Many mushrooms are a delicacy however some are poisonous.
Potato Blight & Wheat Rust are notable diseases of plants.
Human diseases include ringworm, athletes’ foot, mouth, urinary
tract and vaginal infections.
Some fungi kill other organisms
