Goal #5: FUNGIThey’re not

plants!

I. KINGDOM: Fungi

A. CELLSMulticellular/Unicellular

Eukaryotic

B. GENETIC MATERIAL

They have DNA found inside the nucleus.

C. STRUCTUREMulticellular fungi are made of thin filaments called HYPHAE. Each hyphae is only one cell

thick!

Hyphae tangle together into a thick clump called

MYCELIUM.

C. Reproduction1. Asexually

– hyphae break and spread spores •spores = reproductive cell formed by mitosis that grows into new organism

•Spores spread by wind and insects, then settle and grow

D. REPRODUCTION

2. Sexually – Two different

mating types•Plus (+) and minus (-)

– (+) and (-) meet and forms gametes

– When 2 gametes fuse, there is a new offspring!

E. NOURISHMEN

THETEROTROPHS that digest their food outside their body and then absorb it

•Some absorb nutrients from decaying matter in the SOIL.

•Some live as parasites absorbing nutrients from LIVING HOSTS.

F. RESPIRATIONNot all fungi are alike!

• Obligate aerobes• Obligate anaerobes• Facultative anaerobes

G. MovementFungi DO NOT move on their own!

II. Relationships

1. Symbiosis• Some Fungi live together with other organisms

– Fungi + Algae = Lichen– Fungi + Bacteria = Lichen– Fungi + Plant Roots = Mycorrhizae

2. Fungi can be HELPFUL• Fungi are the DECOMPOSERS - a very

important part of every ecosystem

• Fungi RECYCLE NUTRIENTS by breaking down dead organisms and their waste products!

3. Fungi can be harmful• Parasitic fungi can cause diseases.

– Corn smut– Wheat Rust– Athlete’s Foot/Ringworm– Yeast Infection/Thrush

III. Classification-based on their reproduction

A. Common Molds- Phylum Zygomycota

- produces spores - hyphae with no cross walls- ex: meat, cheese, and bread mold

B. Sac Fungi- Phylum Ascomycota

- largest phylum of fungi

- ex: cup fungi, yeasts- yeasts are the only unicellular fungi & reproduce asexually by budding- yeast is used for baking (alcoholic fermentation)

C. Club Fungi- Phylum Basidomycota- ex: mushrooms (most are poisonous!)

-shelf fungi-puffballs-earthstars-jelly fungi

D. Imperfect Fungi- Phylum Deuteromycota-not in other phylum because cannot classify sexual life cycle - resemble all other groups of fungi