Lab 2 Biology Department

Objectives Identify the classification of fungi Identify some examples of fungi and their importance

Classification of fungi According to nutrition : Saprobes Decomposers Molds, mushrooms. Parasites Harm host Rusts and smuts (attack plants) mutualists Both benefit Lichens Mycorrhizas

Classification of fungi Kingdom fungi Division zygomycota Division Ascomycota Division Basidomycota Division Deuteromycota According to sexual reproduction : Sexual reproduction identified Sexual reproduction not identified Conjugation Fungi Sac Fungi Club Fungi Imperfecti Fungi e.g : Rhizopus stolonifer (Black Mold or Black Bread ) e.g: Yeast Aspergillus Penicillium e.g :Mushroom Rust fungi Smut Fungi e.g :Fusarium

Division Zygomycota Most zygomycota are saprobes, while a few species are parasites. Hyphae have no cross walls (Aseptate) Zygomycota usually reproduce asexually Asexual reproductive structure called sporangium atop sporangiospores make spores Rhizoids anchor the mold & release digestive enzymes & absorb food

Zygomycota Sexual spores are produced by conjugation Sexual spores are called ZYGOSPORES E.g : Rhizopus stolonifer (Black Mold or Black Bread ) causes fruit rot on strawberry, tomato, and sweet potato

Division Ascomycota Accounts for 75% of all described fungi Called Sac fungi Includes Cup fungi, truffles, yeasts The mycelium of ascomycetes is usually made up of septate hyphae. Reproduce sexually & asexually Ascus - sac that makes ascospores in sexual reproduction Specialized hyphae known as Ascocarps contain the asci

Ascomycota

Ascomycota Asexual spores called conidia form on the tips of special hyphae called conidiophores

Ascomycota But chlamydospores are also frequently produced. Furthermore, Ascomycota also reproduce asexually through budding.

Importance of Ascomycota This group is of particular relevance to humans as sources for medicinally important compounds, such as antibiotics (Penicillium ) for making bread, alcoholic beverages (Saccharomyces cerevesiae) , and cheese .

Importance of Ascomycota but also as pathogens of humans and plants (powdery mildews)

Importance of Ascomycota Almost half of all members of the phylum Ascomycota form symbiotic associations with algae to form lichens.

Note : A lichen is a composite organism that arises from algae or cyanobacteria (or both) living among filaments of a fungus in a symbiotic relationship The fungus benefits from the algae or cyanobacteria because they produce food by photosynthesis. The algae or cyanobacteria benefit by being protected from the environment by the filaments of the fungus, which also gather moisture and nutrients from the environment, and (usually) provide an anchor to it

Division Basidiomycota Called Club fungi Includes: Mushrooms Puffballs Rusts and smuts

Basidiomycota Reproduce sexually via the formation of specialized club-shaped end cells called basidia that normally bear external spores (usually four). These specialized spores are called basidiospores.

Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota One of the two large divisions that, together with the Ascomycota are often referred to as the "higher fungi“ Represents 37% of all described fungi Many basidiomycota produce a typical toadstool-shaped fruitbody, with basidia lining the gills ( Mushrooms )

Examples of of basidiomycota Mushrooms : some are edible, while others are poisonous

Importance of basidomycota damage crops (rusts & smuts)

Division Deuteromycota Fungi which do not fit into the commonly established taxonomic classifications of fungi because their sexual form of reproduction has never been observed ,only their asexual form of reproduction is known hence the name "imperfect fungi." Most of the species are saprobes but some are parasitic. Many fungal diseases that infect humans belong to this group including species which cause athletes foot

Athlete's foot Also known as tinea pedis: is a common skin infection of the feet caused by fungus It often results in itching, scaling, and redness In severe cases the skin may blister Athlete's foot may affect any part of the foot, but occurs most often between the toes, the next most common area is the bottom of the foot Fungal infection of the nails or of the hands may occur at the same time] Tinea pedis is caused by a number of different ,E.g :Trichophyton

Activity Show Rhizopus stolonifer on Bread , tomato & under steromicroscope Show Penicillum & conidospre under micrscope Show Mushroom Show Lichen , Smuts & Rust sample