What is a Fungus? Chapter 20 Section 1

Fungi

What are the basic characteristics of the fungi kingdom? Eukaryotic Organisms Eukaryotic Organisms Most are multicellular composed hyphae and mycelium. Most are multicellular composed hyphae and mycelium. Have cell walls composed of chitin (a carbohydrate) Have cell walls composed of chitin (a carbohydrate)

Hyphae Hyphae in soil

Mycelium

Structure of Fungi

What role do fungi play in the environment? Decompose complex organic substances into raw materials other organisms need (called decomposers) Decompose complex organic substances into raw materials other organisms need (called decomposers) Organic substances include: fallen leaves, animal carcasses, etc. Organic substances include: fallen leaves, animal carcasses, etc.

How do fungi obtain food? They secrete enzymes into a food source to digest the food and then absorb the digested nutrients. They secrete enzymes into a food source to digest the food and then absorb the digested nutrients.

How do fungi reproduce? A sexually through fragmentation, budding, or producing spores. A sexually through fragmentation, budding, or producing spores. Fragmentation: pieces of fungi break off and form new fungi. Fragmentation: pieces of fungi break off and form new fungi. Budding: new individual pinches off from parent, matures, and eventually separates from the parent. Budding: new individual pinches off from parent, matures, and eventually separates from the parent. Producing spores: a spore is a reproductive cell that can develop into a new organism Producing spores: a spore is a reproductive cell that can develop into a new organism

Spore Production Continued Most fungi produce spores. When a fungal spore is transported to a place with favorable growing conditions it will grow new spores. Most fungi produce spores. When a fungal spore is transported to a place with favorable growing conditions it will grow new spores. Sexually Sexually