Fungi

PURPLE CORAL FUNGUS Clavaria RUBBER CUP FUNGUS Sarcosorna SULFUR SHELF FUNGUS Polyporus TRUMPET CHANTARELLE Caraterellus SCARLET HOOD Hygrophorus BIG LAUGHING MUSHROOM Gymnophilus

The light red coral Fungus, Ramaria The shelf Fungus, Polyporus

Fly Agaric mushroom, Amanita muscaria A.ocreata Very poisonous Fly Agaric mushroom, Amanita muscaria Causes hallucinations when eaten.

Key Concepts: Fungi are heterotrophs Fungi and bacteria are the decomposers of the biosphere Fungal enzymes are secreted outside their body which digest food Most fungi are multicelled Fungal spores develop from hyphae Many fungi are symbionts with other organisms

Characteristics of Fungi Premier decomposers Heterotrophs Extracellular digestion Absorption of products Saprophytic Parasitic

Major Groups of Fungi Zygomycota Ascomycota Basidiomycota Life Cycles Asexually most often Spores Mycelium Hyphae Chitin

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION (mitosis) zygospore (2n) Diploid Stage nuclear fusion meiosis 50 µm Haploid Stage spores (n) Zygospore Spore sac germinating zygospore young zygospore mycelium develops from germinated spore spores (n) gametangia fusing stolon rhizoids contact between hyphae of two mating strains ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION (mitosis)

Spores and More Spores Sexual or asexual Temperature dependent Moisture dependent Zygosporangium Basidiospores Ascospores Sarcoscypha coccinia

Morels ascospore (sexual spore) spore sac ascoscarp ascoscarp spore-bearing hypha of this ascoscarp conidia (chains of asexual spores) budding yeast cell

Other Sac Fungi Molds Penicillium Aspergillus Yeasts Penicillin Camembert and Roquefort cheeses Aspergillus Soy sauce Soft drinks - citric acid Yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae Bread, wine and beer Candida albicans Infections

Beneficial Associations Between Fungi and Plants Symbiosis Mutualism Lichen Fungus and photosynthetic organism

Usnea Cladonia rangiferina Old Man’s Beard Leaf-like Erect branching Lichen Cladonia rangiferina

Lichens

dispersal fragment (cells of mycobiont and of photobiont) cortex (outer layer of mycobiont) photobionts medulla (inner layer of loosley woven hyphae) cortex

Other Symbiotic Relationships Mycorrhiza Young tree roots Mutualistic Fungi as clues to the environment Decline correlate with rise in air pollution Fungi and disease Histoplasmosis Poisonings Skin infections Pneumocystis carinii

Athlete’s foot –Epidermophyton floccosum Apple scab- Venturia inaequalis

Reproductive structures of Pilobolus

Some Pathogenic and Toxic Fungi Ascomycetes Ajeliomyces capsulatus- Histoplasmosis Aspergillus – sinus, ear, lung infection Microsporium sp. Various ringworms. Verticillium sp Plant wilt Monilinia fructicola- Brown Rot of Peaches Zygomycetes Rhizopus - Food spoilage Basidiomycetes Puccinia graminis Wheat Rust Ustilago maydis Corn Smut

In Conclusion Fungi are heterotrophs and major decomposers Most fungi are multicellular The main groups of fungi are the Zygomycetes, the Ascomycetes, and the Basidiomycetes Fungi are classified by the type of spores they produce

In Conclusion Most fungi can produce sexual and asexual spores Lichen are mutualistic associations between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism developed by M. Roig