Fungus Fungi absorb materials from the environment.  Fungi bodies are composed of threadlike hyphae. A mass of hyphae is mycelium.  The part of the fungus that feeds, grows, and ultimately may produce a mushroom or some other kind of reproductive structure Draw a picture of a mushroom: label hyphae, spores, reproductive body and mycelium.

Many fungi are decomposers. They break down compounds, absorb nutrients and leave behind simpler compounds.

Fungus Fungi reproduce by forming spores that are released into the air and spread by wind. Spores can survive for many years. They begin to grow only when water and food are available. They can also reproduce by asexually (yeast, multicellular fungi)

Fungus Fungi include mushrooms, molds, and yeasts. The mushrooms on your pizza are a fungus. So is the mold that grows if you leave a piece of pizza too long in the refridgerator. The crust of the pizza itself rises because of the activity of yeast. 

 Mushrooms:  Mushrooms are the reproductive bodies of a fungus that grow on trees or soil. They are filled with hyphae. Spores are produced in the cap of a mushroom.  When you see a patch of mushroom, they are probably all part of a single fungus. Some mushrooms are dangerous: toadstool

 Molds  Molds form a fuzzy growth on food. This growth is a mass of hyphae. Many molds cause diseases while others are of use to humans because they produce antibiotics such as penicillin.  Not all molds are bad. Penicillium are used in the production of blue cheese and Aspergillus is used to make soy sauce.  Many molds cause disease. Fungal molds cause athlete’s foot.

Yeasts Yeasts are single-celled fungi. They grow in many moist environments including the sap of plants, animal tissues and shower curtains. Some yeasts cause disease while others are useful in making foods such as bread.

Fungus Fungi can be helpful or harmful to other organisms.  Fungi produce harmful chemicals called toxins and can cause diseases in food crops and trees.  Fungi form beneficial relationships with plants by surrounding roots with hyphae. The fungus provides digested nutrients for the plant and the plant provides food for the fungus.

Fungus A lichen is a relationship between a single-celled algae and a fungi. The algae are held in place by a mass of hyphae. Lichens can live where neither organism can live alone.

Other interesting info In 1845, a fungus infected Ireland’s potato crop, causing the population of Ireland to drop from 8 million to about 4 million. Many people died from disease or starvation.

Turn to page 70 in your book. Draw a picture of a lichen