1. A Kingdom of its Own
Fungi

2. What are Fungi Eukaryotic organisms
Some fungi look like plants (i.e. mushrooms), but they are not.

3. Few types are unicellular (E.g. Saccharomyces cerevisiae aka yeast)

4. Most are multi-cellular

5. Structure Adapted for two main functions
Absorption of nutrients
Reproduction
The bodies of multi-cellular fungi are made up of a thin thread of cells called hyphae (string is called hypha)
A network or branching hyphae are called a mycelium
Mycelium - network of hyphae

6. Reproductive Structures
Mycelium – branching network of hyphae

7. How Fungi Feed
Most fungi are saprophytes – feed on dead or decaying matter
As fungi hyphae grow across a food source, they release enzymes (proteins) outside the cell to help break down the source into smaller molecules – Extracellular digestion
The larger the surface area the mycelium occupies, the greater the amount of nutrients absorbed

8. Fairy Circle

10. Some fungi are parasites of plants and animals and can cause diseases
such as Athlete’s foot (Epidermophyton floccosum) and ringworm
(Microsporum).
Parasitic fungi are specialized to feed on living cells
There have hyphae called haustoria that can penetrate host cells without immediately killing them

12. Cordyceps Fungus

13. Symbiotic Fungi
Most fungi live in symbiosis with plants and animals – live to benefit both organisms
Symbiotic relationship: a relationship between two organisms in which both partners benefit from the interaction.

14. Symbiotic Fungi
Example: Mycorrhiza relationship – mycelium of fungi grows around plant roots, absorbing nutrients from the soil and releasing it into the roots
The fungi absorbs nutrients like sugars and amino acids from the plant in exchange

15. Uses of Fungi
Fungi are used in everyday things: all the citric acid used in soft drinks, candies, artificial lemon juice, and baked goods is produced industrially by fungus fermentation using Aspergillus niger

16. Saccharomyces cereviseae is used in fermentation processes that result in the production of beers, wines and spirits

17. Other fungi provide numerous drugs (such as penicillin and other antibiotics), foods like mushrooms, truffles and morels

18. Reproduction
Most Fungi have both asexual and sexual methods of reproduction
The simplest form of asexual reproduction is by fragmentation
Pieces of hyphae are broken off and grow into a new mycelium.

19. Reproduction
Most fungi live on land. To disperse themselves, Sporangia (reproductive structure) release spores in great numbers
Spores: Lightweight reproductive cells
Spores are easily transported on bodies of insects, birds or by the wind
Spores can grow directly into a new organism in a suitable environment
Spores can be sexual or asexual

21. Classifying Fungi At one time, fungi were included with plants
Now they have their own kingdom with four subgroups

22. Deuteromycota Basidiomycota Ascomycota Zygomycota
(Imperfect Fungi)
20,000 species
Basidiomycota
Club Fungi
25,000 species
Ascomycota
Sac Fungi
30,000 species
Zygomycota
Zygospore Fungi
1,500 species

23. Famous Fungi – Bitter Oyster

24. Famous Fungi – Anemone Stinkhorn

25. Famous Fungi – Bleeding Tooth

26. Famous Fungi - Psilocybin

27. Famous Fungi – Amanita muscaria

28. Famous Fungi – Death Cap

29. Textbook Q’s
PG. 458 #1, 2, 4, 5, 6