FUNGUS AND WITCHES…

THE SALEM WITCH TRIALS 1692 A series of hearings prosecuting many people of practicing witchcraft… Women and men were executed by hanging BUT there may be a SCIENTIFIC explanation for this that relates to 3U BIOLOGY and FUNGUS!!!

WHAT DOES BEING “BEWITCHED” LOOK LIKE? -Convulsions -Hallucinations -Appear to be posessed

How can fungus explain witchcraft behaviour? LET’S WATCH AND SEE… Disclaimer: I know this is not history class, but we need to learn a little about the history of this in order to understand how the fungi come into play

ERGOTISM -Ergot (Claviceps purpurea) is a fungus that grows on the ears of rye plants -It is possible to derive LSD from this fungus and when it comes into contact with your skin you have similar symptoms to the WITCHES OF SALEM!!!

Kingdom Fungi Common Characteristics Cells are eukaryotic All cells are surrounded by a cell wall containing chitin, not cellulose like plants Most are multicellular (yeast are single-celled) Reproduction is sexual and asexual, by producing spores They are heterotrophs Many are stationary and anchored in the soil, but without true roots

Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers. Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds) Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust) Some form mutualistic relationships

FUNGI Some fungi are decomposers and recyclers. Other fungi cause disease. (eg. Some moulds) Some are parasitic (eg. Wheat rust) Some form symbiotic relationships (a relationship where both organisms benefit).

Fungal Structures Fungi are composed of eukaryotic cells (have membranes and organelles) They DO NOT have chloroplasts The have long, thread-like microscopic cells called hyphae, which form masses called mycelia The hyphae grow in and around a food source, secreting digestive enzymes and absorbing nutrients into the fungus.

Growth Cells grow at the tips only This allows them to colonize dead or living organic matter

Nutrition All fungi are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients from other organisms The obtain this nutrition by extra-cellular digestion and absorption, not by ingestion

Reproduction Fungi reproduce by spores, which are single cells surrounded by a wall Spores are carried by air currents to new sources where they give rise to new hypha Asexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by mitosis Sexual reproduction: fungi produce spores by meiosis

Bread Mould, Yeast, Mushrooms