FUNGUS KINGDOM

FUNGUS Heterotrophs Feed by releasing digesting enzymes into surroundings then absorbing digested nutrients Ex: mushrooms, mould, mildew

STRUCTURE OF FUNGI Few are unicellular (Ex: yeast) Most are multicellular

STRUCTURE OF FUNGI Parts of Multicellular Fungi: a)HYPHAE: multicellular thread-like filament making up the basic structural unit of a fungus b)MYCELIUM: complex, net-like mass of branching hyphae, makes up most of the organism c)FRUITING BODY: spore-producing reproductive structure in a fungus (above ground) *** Genetically more similar to animals than plants ***

STRUCTURE OF FUNGI Parts of Multicellular Fungi:

FUNGAL NUTRITION Fungi release enzymes that break down food externally Nutrients are then absorbed from the food through the fungal cell membrane 4 Types of Nutrition: 1.Parasitic 2.Predatory 3.Mutualistic 4.Saprobial

FUNGAL NUTRITION 1.PARASITIC: fungi absorb nutrients from the living cells of a host; fungi typically live in the host Ex: Cordyceps: invades insect body; when insect dies, fungus emerges to make new spores

FUNGAL NUTRITION 2.PREDATORY: soil fungus with specialized structures on mycelia for trapping prey Ex: Arthrobotrys: trap nematodes in soil

FUNGAL NUTRITION 3.MUTUALISTIC: fungi with partnerships with other organisms, typically plants or protists Ex: Mycorrhiza: fungus mycelia increase absorptive surface of plant roots and receive sugar from plants

FUNGAL NUTRITION 4.SAPROBIAL: fungi feeding on dead organisms or organic wastes Ex: fungal mycelia absorb nutrients from dead or decaying organic matter to assist in nutrient cycling

FUNGAL REPRODUCTION Two methods: a)ASEXUAL: spore production, budding, fragmentation b)SEXUAL: fusing of hyphae

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5 groups of fungi: 1.Fungi Imperfecti (Phylum Deuteromycota) 2.Chytrids (Phylum chytridomycota) 3.Zygospore Fungi (Phylum Zygomycota) 4.Sac Fungi (Phylum Ascomycota) 5.Club Fungi (Phylum Basidiomycota)

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 1.FUNGI IMPERFECTI (PHYLUM DEUTEROMYCOTA) -Asexual reproduction -Diverse -Ex: Penicillium: common on mouldy fruit -Ex: Cyclosporine: suppress immune system -Ex: in soy sauce and some cheeses

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 2.CHYTRIDS (PHYLUM CHYTRIDOMYCOTA) -Mostly unicellular -Mostly aquatic (spores have flagella) -Parasitic or saprobial -Ex: Synchytrium endobioticum: infects potato plants

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 3.ZYGOSPORE FUNGI (PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA) -Multicellular -Mostly terrestrial -Typically asexual reproduction, can be sexual -Ex: common moulds

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 3.ZYGOSPORE FUNGI (PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION -Zygospores: diploid structures that develop after two haploid hyphae of opposite types combine and fuse their nuclei -Thick wall develops around the zygospore -Zygospore is dormant until favourable condition arise -Zygospore absorbs water and nuclei undergo meiosis -Haploid vegetative cells are released

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 3.ZYGOSPORE FUNGI (PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 4.SAC FUNGI (PHYLUM ASCOMYCOTA) -Largest group of fungi -Develop finger like asci during sexual reproduction -Nutrition by breaking down wood and bone or parasitic - Ex: Mildew, Morels, Truffles, yeast (asexual)

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) -Some are parasitic - Ex: Mushrooms, puffballs, stinkhorns

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 1.Gills extend from the stalk onto the underside of the cap and are lined with basidia (club shaped hyphae) 2.Basidia release basidiospores

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 3.Basidiospores land in suitable environments and germinate to produce hyphae

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 4.Hyphae form haploid mycelium 5.Mycelia from two different mating types come together to fuse hyphae

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 6.Compact masses of hyphae, called buttons, form under the soil’s surface 7.Buttons develop into mushrooms

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 8.Haploid nuclei of basidia join to form a diploid cell 9.Meiosis occurs, making 4 hapoid nuclei 10.Each haploid nuclei becomes a basidiospore

FUNGAL CLASSIFICATION 5.CLUB FUNGI (PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA) REPRODUCTION 11.Basiospores mature and detach from basidia 12.Basidiospores disperse via wind

LICHENS A fungus and a photosynthetic organism (Ex: green alga or cyanobacterium) -Composite organisms: form a unique organism that depends on a relationship between different species -May be able to live in harsh/extreme environments

LICHENS Common uses of lichens: -Important food source for deer, elk, and caribou -Used as a dye for wool -Used to make litmus paper