The Kingdom Fungi
Mysterious Molds,Mildews, Yeasts,And Mushrooms
Fungi are their own Kingdom
Kingdom FungiEukaryoticHeterotrophicCan be either unicellular or multicellularHave cell walls made of chitin (tough carbohydrate)
Kingdom Fungi is Diverse!
Kingdom Fungi is a diverse kingdom!
Fungal Structure
Hyphae: thread-like filamentsMycelium: A mat of many hyphaeSpores: reproductive cells of fungi
Mushroom StructureCapGills: spores are produced and drop from the gillsStipe: stem, formed from mycelium (many hyphae filaments)Ring (annulus)
Fungi are Heterotrophs
Fungi must consume foodFungi are NOT plants
Plants make their own food from light energy
Fungi NutritionFungi absorb food from their environment
Large organic molecules (like carbohydrates) are broken down by enzymes
The small, broken down molecules then diffuse in
Many Fungi are Decomposers
Decomposers break down, or decompose, the bodies of dead organismsNutrients are returned to the soil by decomposers
Fungi are Saprophytes or Parasites
Parasitic fungi absorb nutrients from a living host
Athlete's foot
Saprophytic fungi absorb nutrients from a dead host
Decomposers
Reproduction in FungiCan be sexual or asexualAsexual: budding or sporesSexual: spores formed from 2 different fungal gametes
Yeasts Reproduce by Budding
Budding: part of the cell pinches off to form a new one
Budding yeasts
Fungi are Important to the Environment
Nutrient RecyclersPartner with other organisms in symbiotic relationships
Both partners benefitLichens: fungi + algaeMycorrhizae: plant + fungi
Fungi Are Useful to Humans
Many foods Mushrooms, some cheeses, yeasts used in baking, brewing, wine-making
Medical uses the antibiotic penicillin is a fungal product
Yeast used in ethanol production
Classification-due to reproduction
Zygomycota – spores in spheres on filament
Ex: bread mold
Ascomycota – spores in saclike structure (ascus)
Ex: yeast, morels
Classification-cont.
Basidiomycota – spores on clublike structures
Ex: mushrooms
Deuteromycota – asexual reproduction only
Morel
Gyromitra, false morel
!Not safe to eat!When cooked it
produces a volatile toxin called monomethyl hydrozine that is used in rocket fuel! (not safe to inhale)
Death Cap!Most poisonous mushroom in North
America!Half a cap is enough to kill a human