Fungi Biol 121, Fall 2010, Tom Buckley 11 Oct 10 heterotrophs some are unicellular (yeasts) most are multicellular body = mycelium (many hyphae) feed by absorption some are septate, others ceonocytic cell walls strengthened by chitin coenocytic hypha septate hypha
Fungal life cycles Fig 31.5 hetero- = different -karyon = nucleus gamos = marriage Many spp only reproduce asexually (deuteromycetes)
Ascomycetes Fig dikaryotic hyphae ascus karyogamy plasmogamy meiosis mitosis ascospores conidia (asexual spores)
Basidiomycetes Fig dikaryotic hyphae basidia karyogamy plasmogamy meiosis basidiospores basidiocarpmushroom = basidiocarp
Importance of fungi Symbioses leaf-cutter ants mycorrhizae lichens
Importance of fungi Pathogens (mostly of plants) Medicine, biotech, foods chestnut blight ringworm penicillin Saccharomyces (beer & bread)