FUNGI They’re not plants!

KINGDOM FUNGI

(Except for YEAST, which are unicellular) # of CELLS MULTICELLULAR = MANY (Except for YEAST, which are unicellular)

Their cells have a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles. TYPE of CELLS EUKARYOTIC Their cells have a nucleus and other membrane bound organelles.

They have DNA found inside the nucleus. GENETIC MATERIAL They have DNA found inside the nucleus.

STRUCTURE Multicellular fungi are made of thin filaments called HYPHAE. Each hyphae is only one cell thick!

Hyphae tangle together into a thick clump called MYCELIUM. STRUCTURE Hyphae tangle together into a thick clump called MYCELIUM.

STRUCTURE A MUSHROOM is actually the fruiting body of a fungus. The fruiting body is the reproductive structure of the fungus.

REPRODUCTION Fungi reproduce ASEXUALLY AND SEXUALLY!!! The reproductive cells are called SPORES

REPRODUCTION Releasing the spores… Stinkhorn Spores released from gills Puffball Bird’s Nest Fungus

NOURISHMENT HETEROTROPHS that DO NOT ingest their food! They 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.

Fungi DO NOT move on their own! LOCOMOTION Fungi DO NOT move on their own!

OTHER Some Fungi live together with other organisms (symbiosis) Fungi + Algae = Lichen Fungi + Bacteria = Lichen Fungi + Plant Roots = Mycorrhizae

HELPFUL Ex. Fungi are the DECOMPOSERS - a very important part of every ecosystem Fungi RECYCLE NUTRIENTS by breaking down dead organisms and their waste products!

HARMFUL Ex. Parasitic fungi can cause diseases. Corn smut Wheat Rust Athlete’s Foot/Ringworm Yeast Infection/Thrush Cordyceps in insects