Kingdom Fungi

What are Fungi? Defined as a Fungi are NOT PLANTS Study of fungi = mycology Defined as a single or multi-celled eukaryote with heterotrophic, absorptive nutrition, chitinous cell walls, and which stores energy as glycogen.

Characteristics Heterotrophic Absorptive nutrition Cannot make own food Absorptive nutrition Produce enzymes that break down food outside body Then absorb small molecules released by enzymes

Characteristics Cell walls made of chitin Reproduce by spores 2 general growth patterns Single cells: example is yeast Hyphae: example mushrooms Reproduce by spores Vital role in ecosystem Decomposers Symbiotic Predators Cordycepes: The Killer Fungus

Structure & Function Hyphae Tubular Long, slender branching filaments Hard wall of Chitin Crosswalls may form compartments Grow at tips

Structure & Function Fruiting Body Mycelium Example: Mushroom Reproductive structure Grows from mycelium Mycelium Mass of branching hyphae below soil Example: Mushroom Fungal Structure Video

Fruiting Body and Mycelium

Reproduce by Spores Spores are reproductive cells Formed Sexual: plus (+) and minus (-) Asexual: budding or breaking hyphae Formed Directly on hyphae Inside sporangia Fruiting bodies Above: Hyphae Middle: sporangia Far Left: fruiting body

Hyphal growth from spore Germinating spore Mycelium Mycelia have a huge surface area

Asexual Reproduction

Sexual Reproduction

Classified by their reproductive structures Diversity of Fungi Classified by their reproductive structures

Phylum Basidiomycota “Club Fungi”

Gills with Basidia Cap Rhizoids Spores Released!

Phylum Ascomycota “Sac Fungi” Baker’s Yeast Penicillium Morels

True Morel False Morel

Asci with ascopores

Phylum Zygomycota Mycorrhizae Rhizopus mycelium

Bread Mold with sporangia Zygospore

Ecological Role Decomposers break down complex molecules into sugars or consume sugars found in environment. Examples Common bread molds Shelf fungi White button mushrooms

Ecological Role Symbiotic Fungi Examples receive their energy (carbohydrates) directly from a plant or algal partner. Examples mycorrhizal fungi (live on plant roots) 90% of all plants have fungal relationship lichens (contain algae) "The Rotten World About Us"