1. FUNGI

2. Basic Characteristics
Fungi are heterotrophs that absorb their food.
Fungal cell walls are made of chitin.
Fungi are multicellular organisms, with the exception of yeasts.

3. Inside of a Fungus

4. FUNGI
3 phyla:
Zygomycota
Basidiomycota
Ascomycota

5. ASCOMYCOTA characteristics
Ascocarp – cuplike structure from which ascospores are released

6. ASCOMYCOTA characteristics
“sac fungi” – sacs (asci) within ascocarp

7. Brewer’s & baker’s yeast
ASCOMYCOTA examples
Saccharomyces cerevisiae
Brewer’s & baker’s yeast

8. ASCOMYCOTA examples
morels

9. ASCOMYCOTA examples
truffles

10. ASCOMYCOTA reproduction
Asexual – conidia, budding
Sexual – asci produce ascospores

11. ASCOMYCOTA reproduction

12. BASIDIOMYCOTA characteristics
Basidiocarp aboveground structure consisting of a stalk & cap with rows of gills radiating out from the center

13. BASIDIOMYCOTA characteristics
“club fungi” – clublike basidia

14. BASIDIOMYCOTA examples
mushrooms

15. BASIDIOMYCOTA examples
Jelly fungi

16. BASIDIOMYCOTA examples
Puffballs

17. BASIDIOMYCOTA examples
Bracket fungi

18. BASIDIOMYCOTA reproduction
Asexual – rare
Sexual – basidia produce basidiospores

19. BASIDIOMYCOTA reproduction

20. ZYGOMYCOTA characteristics
Mostly terrestrial found primarily in soil rich in organic matter

21. ZYGOMYCOTA examples
Bread mold (Rhizopus)
Penicillium species

22. ZYGOMYCOTA reproduction

23. ZYGOMYCOTA reproduction
Asexual - sporangiospores
Sexual – conjugation results in zygospores

24. Reproduction Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Yeasts reproduce asexually through budding.
Fungi reproduce sexually by producing spores. (Look back at different phyla).

25. Fungi may be decomposers, pathogens, or mutualists.
Fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers in any ecosystem.
decompose dead leaves, twigs, logs, and animals
return nutrients to the soil
can damage fruit trees and wooden structures

26. Fungi can act as pathogens.
human diseases include ringworm and athlete’s foot
plant diseases include Dutch elm disease
Mold spores
Attack crops (corn)

27. Fungi can act as mutualists.
- lichens form between fungi and algae
- mycorrhizae form between fungi and plants

28. Benefits/Advantages
Production of antibiotics – penicillin, cephalosporin
Yeast is used to produce ethanol, a main ingredient in the automobile fuel gasohol

29. Benefits Used in food industry:
Mushrooms used as food – Agaricus (white button), shiitake, portabella, truffles, morels
Cheeses – blue, brie
Beer, wine – yeast used in fermentation
Soy products – miso, soy sauce, tofu
Breads – yeast causes bread to rise

30. Many are decomposers – cycle matter & nutrients in the ecosystem
Benefits
Many are decomposers – cycle matter & nutrients in the ecosystem

31. Disadvantages
Mold spores can cause mild to severe allergies – sniffling, sneezing, & respiratory distress
Attack food crops – corn, beans, onions, squashes, tomatoes
Cause skin infections – athlete’s foot, ringworm, jock itch, vaginal yeast infection
Can be poisonous
Amanita (“death angel” or “destroying angel”) can destroy the liver within 1 week
Aspergillus produce aflatoxins – poisons that cause liver cancer