Fungi Kingdom
The Fungi Kingdom- Fungi are
Eukaryotic, Nonphotosynthetic
Organisms, and Most are
Multicellular Heterotrophs.
The Fungi Kingdom- contains molds,
mildews, rusts, smuts, yeasts, and
mushrooms.
Fun Fungi Facts
Pigs are used to hunt truffles – a type of
sac fungus
 Yeasts are useful in the making of bread
and fermented drinks.
 Some parasitic fungi are actually human
pathogens, causing athlete's foot and
ringworm.

Truffle
hunting
What causes bread dough to "rise"?
What causes bread dough to "rise"?
Yeasts digesting carbohydrates
produce carbon dioxide as a waste
product.
 This gas trapped in the dough causes
it to expand - "rise".

SOME COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF
ALL FUNGI:
A. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with
nuclei and membranous organelles.
B. Fungi depend on other organisms for
their nutrition. THEY ARE
HETEROTROPHS.
C. Most fungi are multicellular organisms,
but they are not made of typical cells.
D. Fungal cells have a cell wall made of
the material chitin.
Vary in size from microscopic to 3 kg
 Bodies are made of

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
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Hyphae – thread-like filaments
Mycelium – tangled mass of hyphae
Fruiting body – the reproductive structure of
the fungus that you see above the ground
Classification

Taxonomists have classified over 100,000
Species of Fungi
PHYLUM ASCOMYCOTA - SAC
FUNGI
PHYLUM ASCOMYCOTA - SAC
FUNGI
Largest group of fungi
Examples = yeast,
truffles
Reproduction =
sexually with
ascospores
Asexually =
Budding
PHYLUM ZYGOMYCOTA COMMON MOLDS
Sexual Reproduction =
conjugation
Conjugation = cells
exchange DNA
PHYLUM BASIDIOMYCOTA –
CLUB FUNGI
Examples = mushroom, puffballs
 Reproduction = asexually or sexually with
basidospores

PHYLUM DEUTEROMYCOTA –
IMPERFECT FUNGI
Example = Athlete’s Foot
 Reproduction = asexually with conidia or
sexually (method unknown)
Mr Scharf in ten years
Alaska Mushrooms
Alaska Mushrooms
Alaska Mushrooms
Alaska Mushrooms
Alaska Mushrooms and elves…
FUNGI AND THE
ENVIRONMENT


1. Most fungi are either SAPROPHYTES OR
DECOMPOSERS
2. Fungi obtain nutrients to absorb by secreting
digestive enzymes onto the food source. The
enzymes break down, or digest, the food.
FUNGI AND THE
ENVIRONMENT



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5. When fungi secretes digestive enzymes into a
food source, the Nutrients are released to be
used by the fungus and other organisms.
6. The Nutrients are RECYCLED and Returned to
the Environment.
7. Without decomposers, ecosystems would
collapse, because many organisms would not
obtain enough nutrients to stay alive.
8. One scientist estimated that a layer of organic
debris about 12 miles thick would now cover the
earth if decomposition had never occurred.
Many Fungi Can Reproduce BOTH
Asexually and Sexually.

Yeast cells reproduce
by a process called
BUDDING. An
asexual process in
which part of the cell
pinches itself off to
produce small
offspring.
Many Fungi Can Reproduce BOTH
Asexually and Sexually.


Most fungi can grow from a small piece of
mycelium called FRAGMENTATION. The fungus
that causes Athlete's Foot grows this way.
Most fungi can reproduce asexually by SPORES.
Mushroom Life Cycle
FUNGI AND HUMAN DISEASE



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1. Fungi can sometimes attack the tissues of
living plants and animals and cause disease.
2. Fungal disease is a major concern for humans
because fungi attack not only us, but, our food
source.
3. Mold spores can cause mild to serious allergies
in some people, sniffling, sneezing, and
respiratory distress.
4. Fungi can also infect and poison humans
Mold and yeast are two groups of plants
in the fungus family. Both groups can
cause allergic reactions. Fungal spores
can circulate in the air and may cause
allergic rhinitis when inhaled.
Tinea Infections: Athlete's Foot, Jock
Itch and Ringworm




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Tinea is a fungus that can grow on your skin, hair
or nails.
As it grows, it spreads out in a circle, leaving
normal-looking skin in the middle. This makes it
look like a ring.
At the edge of the ring, the skin is lifted up by
the irritation and looks red and scaly.
To some people, the infection looks like a worm is
under the skin. Because of the way it looks, Tinea
infection is often called "ringworm."
However, there really isn't a worm under the
skin.
Ringworm (Tinea corporis) on the leg

fungal infection of the
skin
Ringworm, Tinea corporis on the
chest

Ringworm is not
seen as frequently
in adults as in
children, but when
conditions are
conducive to
growth, such as
increased moisture
and warmth, the
fungus can
flourish.
Fungus on the toes
Fungus on the toes
Fungus on the toes
Fried mushrooms at Fast Eddies
Penicillium, which produces Penicillin
and Cheese, is a Fungus that Reproduces
Asexually
Moldy Ceiling
Not in the Kingdom, but
Not in the Kingdom, but

FUN TO LOOK AT
Fungi from Africa
Fungi from Australia and New Zealand
Fungi from India
Fungi from Japan
Fungi from the Amazon
Fungi from Scotland to Russia
Fungi from Indonesia
Fungi from Southeast Asia
Mushrooms Huddling
Wake up

Mr Scharf mushroom hunting as a kid.
Insulation Infested w/ Mold
Drywall Mold
LICHEN
represent a
symbiotic
relationship
between a
fungus (usually
from Phylum
Ascomycota)
and an alga
(usually
cyanobacteria
or green alga)
LICHEN
Lichens
MYCORRHIZAE
Symbiotic
structures
formed by
fungus
and plant
roots
Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
Hallucinogens are substances that alter or
produce false perceptions of sight, sound,
taste, smell or touch.
 Some toxic substances in mushrooms can
cause severe illness and even death.
 Most hallucinogenic substances, including
synthetic ones such as LSD, are illegal.

Hallucinogenic Mushrooms


The hallucinogenic properties of certain
mushrooms have been known for centuries.
The discovery of mushroom sculptures in ancient
Central and South American ruins suggests that
hallucinogenic mushrooms were used by native
people during religious ceremonies.
Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
Psilocybe Mushroom
Psilocybe cubensis
Photographs courtesy of the
Indiana Prevention Center
Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
Picking and consuming mushrooms can be
a dangerous activity!
 Identification of hallucinogenic mushrooms
can be difficult because they look similar
to toxic, deadly mushrooms.
 It is also possible that mushrooms bought
from "street dealers" may be
contaminated with drugs such as LSD or
PCP.

Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
In 1998 in the
United States,
9,839 cases of
mushroom
poisoning were
reported by poison
centers.
Hallucinogenic Mushrooms
Maximum Penalties if prepared for use:
 For possession - 7 years in prison and/or a
fine.
 For possession with intent to supply, or
supply - life imprisonment and/or a fine.