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Introduction to Kingdom Fungi. What is a fungus? . A eukaryotic , heterotrophic organism devoid of chlorophyll that obtains its nutrients by absorption, and reproduces by spores . Can be multicellular or unicellular. Examples of Fungi. Mushrooms and toadstools Moulds & mildews
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What is a fungus? • A eukaryotic, heterotrophic organism devoid of chlorophyll that obtains its nutrients by absorption, and reproduces by spores. • Can be multicellular or unicellular
Examples of Fungi • Mushrooms and toadstools • Moulds & mildews • Yeasts (unicellular)
Mode of nutrition • Fungi=absorptive heterotrophs • release digestive enzymes into surroundings • Absorb digested nutrients into cells.
Hyphae (singular, hypha) • Bodies made up of hyphae • Tight mass difficult to see as separate structures. • (like the ‘mushroom’ part) • Cylindrical, branching filaments composed of a tubular cell wall filled with cytoplasm and organelles • Most fungal hyphae are 2-10 m diameter
Mycelium • Loose, branching network of hyphae under the ground.
How Fungi Feed • Most are saprophytes: break down dead matter • Play a vital role in the recycling of nutrients. • As grown along dead matter (log), break substrate down into smaller molecules. (enzymes) • Extracellular digestion.
The mycelium is the part of the fungus that is digesting material. • Can be deep within a decomposing tree branch.
Parasitic Fungi • Produce hyphae called haustoria. • Can penetrate host cells without killing them. • Athlete’s foot, ringworm, dandruff. • C. Myrmecophila parasitizes animals. When spore lands on ant, grows in ant’s body hyphae spread through ant’s body, digesting tissues (digesting) eventually forms the ‘sex organ’ of the fungus by growing out of ant’s body.
Symbiotic Fungi • Symbiotic fungi (mutual benefit) • most trees have fungi living in close contact with roots (mycorrhiza) • Fungi absorbs nutrients from soil and transfers to roots • Fungi benefits by absorbing nutrients from plants • some live with algae/cyanobacteria(lichens –often seen on tree trunks) • Fungi provide algae/photosynthetic bacteria with H2O and CO2 • Algae/cyanobacteriaprovidesnutrients for fungi
Reproduction • Can reproduce asexually and sexually • Fragmentation Asexual pieces of hyphaebreak off and grow into new mycelia • Spore Formation Asexual produced by mitosis OR Sexual produced by meiosis • Spores:windblown reproductive cells for dispersal to new locations • produced in large numbers • Note: sexual reproduction used during unfavorable conditions
Classification 4 subgroups Zygosporefungi –eg. bread moulds Clubfungi –eg. puffballs, mushrooms Imperfectfungi –eg. Penicillium, Blue cheese Sacfungi –eg. truffles, yeast
Independent Reading • Read the sections on zygospores, club fungi, sac fungi, and imperfect fungi. • Make brief notes on these groups, and in your notes make sure to: • Give an example of this type of fungi • BRIEFLY describe how they reproduce.
Seatwork/Homework • Page 458, #1-7, 10