Classification of Fungi 12-2

1. Classification of Fungi12-2 BIO 1004

2. Fungi Classification • Classified based upon their structure and reproduction • 4 main groups are: • Common molds • Sac fungi • Club fungi • Imperfect fungi

3. Common Molds • These are the familiar molds that grow on meat, cheese, and bread • Phylum zygomycota • Have life cycles that include a zygospore • Zygospore – resting spore that contains zygotes formed from sexual phase of life cycle • Life Cycle: • Hyphae fuse forming gametangia • Through meiosis, it produces genetically different spores

4. Structure of Bread Mold • 2 types of hyphae on bread mold • Rhizoids – anchor fungus to the bread, release digestive enzymes, and absorb nutrients • Stolons – run along the surface of bread • Sporangiophores – hyphae that push into air and contain spores • One may contain 40000 spores

5. Sac Fungi Phylum Ascomycota Named for ascus – the reproductive structure that produces spores Largest phylum of fungi Cup fungi, yeast, etc.

6. Sac Fungi • Includes both sexual and asexual portions of life cycle • Tiny spores called “conidia” are formed at tips of hyphae called conidiophores • Ascus – forms within the fruiting body • This is where the two mating types fuse forming the zygote • Ascospores are the zygote (8 produced)

7. Club Fungi • Phylum Basidiomycota • Get name from specialized reproductive structure that resembles a club • This spore bearing structure is called the “basidium” • These are found in the gills on the underside of mushroom caps

8. Club Fungi Cont. • For reproductive structures to form, moisture and nutrient content of soil has to be perfect • Growth of mushroom is caused by cell enlargement due to intake of water • Basidiospores are located in gills • Can produce billions or trillions of spores • Ex: jelly fungi, puff balls, star

9. Imperfect Fungi Phylum Deuteromycota NO sexual phase of life cycle Imperfect implies that we do not fully understand their life cycle Source of anti-biotic penicillin