Text Chapter 12: Fungi

Question 1

Unique Properties of Fungi

Answer 1

eukaryotic, most are multicellular, filamentous body plan, heterotrophic by absorption, produce spores by sexual and asexual reproduction, haploid for part or most of life cycle, cell wall made of chitin, no movement- change location by growth of body or dispersion of spores

Question 2

Body Plan of Fungi

Answer 2

mycelium, hypha, septum, reproductive structure extends from main body, produces spores

Question 3

Mycelium

Answer 3

network or filaments

Question 4

Hypha

Answer 4

individual filaments

Question 5

Septum

Answer 5

partition dividing cells, has pore for distribution of nutrients

Question 6

General Mode of Nutrition for Fungi

Answer 6

heterotrophic by absorption- secrete digestive enzymes, digest macromolecules outside the body, absorb digested nutrients

Question 7

Three Types of Interactions

Answer 7

saprophytic, parasitic, mutualistic

Question 8

Saprophytic

Answer 8

digestion of dead organisms, act as decomposers

Question 9

Parasitic

Answer 9

digestion of live organisms, causing disease

Question 10

Mutualistic

Answer 10

beneficial relationship for two independent organisms

Question 11

The process of sexual reproduction in fungi

Answer 11

hypha from mycelia of opposite mating types fuse, fusion of two haploid nuclei form diploid zygote, zygote produces haploid spores by meiosis, each spore germinates to form a haploid mycelium

Question 12

Three Mutualistic Relationships Involving Fungi

Answer 12

algae and fungus, plant roots and fungus, leaf cutter ants and fungus

Question 13

Beneficial Effects of Fungi

Answer 13

act as decomposers in ecosystems, can break down pollutants, produce antibiotics, assist in plant growth, pioneer species allowing colonization of soil-poor areas, provide food for other organisms

Question 14

Key events in the interaction between Cordyceps fungus and ants

Answer 14

• hyphae fungus enters the ant
• mycelium grows within the body of the ant
• interferes with pheromones which cause the ant to climb a plant and attach to a leaf
• fruiting body grows from the ant’s head
• uninfected ants carry infected ants away
• spores are produced first by mitosis, them by meiosis
• beneficial in controlling the size of the population and for possible pharmaceutical uses