Fungi were once classified as a member of the plant kingdom, however, we soon found enough differences to put them in their own kingdom!

Fungi are multi-cellular like plants, but are heterotrophic and rely on food sources to survive

Some fungi are parasites and most are saprophytes

Similar to plants, they release material back into the soil as nutrients for growing plants

Cells of fungi are eukaryotic and contain cell walls. Their cell walls differ from plants because they contain a protein called chitin.

Although most are multi-cellular there are a few exceptions to the rule and yeasts are examples of unicellular fungi

Fungi reproduce sexually by conjugation and asexually.

Many fungi produce spores which contain the genetic material for new fungi to grow.

Asexual reproduction is from fragmentation where a piece breaks of the parent, or by budding, in which the parent makes tiny copies through mitosis.

Fungi are classified according to the method of reproduction…where have you seen this??

Includes mushrooms, shelf fungi and puffballs

Basidia is the club shaped structures where spores are formed

This is the part that you eat, the majority of the organism is underground

Basidia are found on gills underneath the cap. When the spores are mature they are released and carried by the wind.

Specialized hyphae from two different fungi can meet and fuse to form a zygote

The zygote then forms thick walls and resists harsh conditions

Other hyphae are specialized to spread across the surface called stolons

Another type called rhizoids are like roots that anchor into the food source

Includes yeasts, mildews and cup fungi

Spores are produced in sac like structures

Yeasts are very important in the study of respiration

Penicillium is a mold that is very important to medicine and giving cheese its flavor

An organism that is made up of a fungus and an algae. This is a symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit.

The algae provides food for itself and the fungus and in turn the fungus provides a moist place to live and a supply of nutrients

When lichens die they enrich the soil, they are also a very important food source in the tundra

Beverages: the average person consumes beverages produced by fungi every day. All the citric acid used in soft drinks, candies, artificial lemon juice, baked goods is produced industrially by fungus fermentation ( Aspergillus niger)

Fungus is also responsible for the production of beers, wines and spirits

Saprophytic Fungi are the primary agents responsible for the biodegradation of plants and woody debris. 85 BILLION tons of carbon is retuned annually to the atmosphere

A delicacy in many countries is the Truffle

They have become rare in many European countries and increasingly more expensive due to this fact

Often people hunting for truffles would use the aid of dogs or pigs to sniff them out and find them!