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Understanding Oomycota: Water Molds & Their Role in the Irish Potato Famine

Oomycota, also known as water molds, have a unique mycelium body structure that aids in nutrient absorption from organic material. They reproduce both asexually and sexually, forming oospores for overwintering. Learn about their impact on the Irish Potato Famine.

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Understanding Oomycota: Water Molds & Their Role in the Irish Potato Famine

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  1. Water MoldsPhylum: Oomycota Micah Vinovskis and Jess Zelenak

  2. Body • Has a body called a mycelium • Mycelium- body that grows over organic material, digests it, and then absorbs the predigested nutrients • Hyphae- threadlike structures that make up the mycelium and are coenocytic • Coenocytic- does not have a cell wall and the body is one giant multinucleate cell • Cell walls are made up of: cellulose (like plants), chitin (like fungi), or both

  3. Reproduction • Reproduce asexually when conditions are favorable • Hyphal tip swells and a cross wall is formed which separates the hyphal tip from the rest of the mycelium • Within the zoosporangium tiny biflagellate zoospores form that can develop into a new mycelium

  4. Reproduction continued… • Reproduce sexually when conditions are unfavorable. • Fusion of male and female nuclei occurs • Oospore- thick walled spore develops from the zygote • Usually overwinter as oospores

  5. Irish Potato Famine • During the 19th century, Ireland potatoes were hit with Phytophthora infestans which caused late blight of potatoes • Several rainy, cool summers in Ireland caused the water molds to multiply and attack the potato tubers

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