Bread Mold Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on My spores are common in the air and can land on moist surfaces like bread and some fruit to grow into fuzzy spots that create li=le stems (called sporangia) to make spores. I’m closely related to: Other threadlike fungi such as dung mold and other soil decomposers. Cool Facts
•  I usually reproduce asexually (alone) but someCmes if condiCons are crummy, I will grow next to an opposite type of mold and we’ll mate sexually (with 2 parents). •  Most of my friends and family live in soil and decompose stuff-­‐ you can thank us that you aren’t surrounded by gross dead stuff all the Cme. •  I am called a threadlike fungus because the parts that I put my spores on look like li=le threads. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. Each of me is so Cny you can only see me with a microscope-­‐ if you see me growing on bread you’re actually seeing a colony of my friends. Once my spore lands somewhere, I grow there my whole life. I can only eat what I land on. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I usually just make spores myself that are just like me. I build a threadlike stalk and send them off into the air. SomeCmes, though, I let my hyphae grow with a partner and together we make spores that are a mix of our genes. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Yeast Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I look like a Cny grain of sand, but really I’m super important to humans. I’m necessary to make bread rise, or create alcohol which allowed humans to start to preserve stuff. I’m closely related to: Other sac fungi like mildew, truffles, morel mushrooms, Dutch elm disease, and chestnut blight. Cool Facts
•  Some of my relaCves make vitamin B2 which protects it from UV light and that people use to make vitamins. •  I am called a sac fungus because I someCmes make spores in small sacs called asci. •  When I eat sugar I give off carbon dioxide gas which makes bubbles causing bread to rise. •  One of my species lives all over your body, if too much of me grows it’s called a yeast infecCon. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down sugar near me and allow me to absorb the nutrients from it. I can even get sugar from plants like wheat or potatoes. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. I am unusual because I am only one cell, but you can see me with a naked eye (I’m small but visible). There are no structures on the outside of my cell that I can move. I wait for water or air to move me. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I usually reproduce by myself by just growing a new yeast cell out of my side then break it off. SomeCmes, though, I make li=le sacs in my cell which can combine with the sac of another yeast to make a baby that combines our genes. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Truffles Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I am a special type of fungus that lives enCrely underground, usually with the roots of an oak tree. Some of my species are worth LOTS of money (over $2,000 per kg) because their strong smell and taste is valued in cooking. I’m closely related to: Other sac fungi like mildew, truffles, morel mushrooms, Dutch elm disease, and chestnut blight. Cool Facts
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I have to be eaten by a mammal to release my spores. I smell really strong so that animals will find me, dig me up, and eat me. • 
The part that humans eat is actually my reproducCve parts. • 
I can only be found with specialized trained truffle hunCng dogs or pigs that can smell me deep in the ground and let people know where to dig for me. • 
I can only grow in very specific condiCons with limestone rocks and certain oak trees in a Mediterranean climate. Humans try to grow me, but then I don’t smell as strong. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I live in a mutually beneficial relaConship with an oak tree. I help get the tree nutrients from the soil that it can’t use, and I take my nutrients from the tree. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. I can be the size of a walnut or your fist. You can definitely see me with the naked eye. The cells on my outside can be a different color than the cells inside. Once my spores get down by a tree root they stay there and grow. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I am different from other fungi in that I have male and female organisms and have to meet with a partner to mate. Since I don’t move around, I rely on animals to transport my spores to grow near the other gender. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Deathcap Mushroom Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I live in a mutually beneficial relaConship with some trees like oaks and look like the commonly eaten straw mushroom. I am one of the most deadly fungi on Earth. I’m closely related to: Other club fungi like portabellas, white destroying angel, bracket fungi, pu`alls, witch hat fungus, and two plant parasites: smut and rust. Cool Facts
•  Every part of me is poisonous including the underground parts. I am usually yellowish or greenish on top and look like yummy straw mushrooms. •  You should NEVER eat a mushroom unless it has been idenCfied by an expert since some poisonous mushrooms like me look like yummy ones. •  I make spores on gills on the underside of my cap just like all other club fungi. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. You can definitely see me with a naked eye. My cells are organized into different parts like gills, a stalk and root-­‐like hyphae. Once my spore lands somewhere, I grow there my whole life. I can only eat what I land on. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I usually just make spores myself that are just like me. I make them on my gills then wait for them to be moved by wind or animals. SomeCmes, though, I let my hyphae grow with a partner and together we make spores that are a mix of our genes. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Bracket Fungi Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I grow in trees and decompose them. I create fruiCng bodies on the outside of the tree that look like shelves or brackets. Most of my food comes from the heartwood in the middle of the tree which it doesn’t use much, but which weakens the tree. I’m closely related to: Other club fungi like portabellas, white destroying angel, death cap mushroom, pu`alls, witch hat fungus, and two plant parasites: smut and rust. Cool Facts
•  The rings on my surface show how many years I have been alive. Some of my friends are 50-­‐70 years old! •  I usually grow in the heartwood (middle) of the tree I eat, which it doesn’t use much, but which weakens the tree. •  Some of my species have gills on their underside and others have special holes that look like honeycomb. •  I make millions and millions of spores. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. You can definitely see me with a naked eye. My cells are organized into different parts like gills and root-­‐like hyphae. Once my spore lands somewhere, I grow there my whole life. I can only eat what I land on. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I usually just make spores myself that are just like me. I make them on my gills or in special holes on my underside then wait for them to be moved by wind or animals. SomeCmes, though, I let my hyphae grow with a partner and together we make spores that are a mix of our genes. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Ringworm Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I’m not actually a worm, but rather a fungus that infects skin. I include jock itch and athlete’s foot but can infect anywhere on your body. I’m closely related to: Other imperfect fungi including penicillin and athlete’s foot. Cool Facts
•  I can be passed from person to person through touching infected people or sharing stuff like unwashed clothes or being near wet surfaces. •  I grow best where it is warm and moist. •  If you get me on you, I think you should be excited, but in case you’re not-­‐ you can talk to a doctor who can recommend over the counter chemicals to kill me (so sad) or even prescripCons when needed. I can also be killed by prescripCon anC-­‐fungals. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. You can definitely see me with a naked eye. Once I start to grow on a host I stay where I am. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! When I touch a new warm moist spot bits of me can sCck to the new spot and start to grow there. The new “me” has the exact same genes as the old “me”. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Rhizopus Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I am microscopic and can grow on lots of things including bread and soL fruits. Unlike most fungi, I can mate with my opposite (like what you would call male and female). I’m closely related to: Other threadlike fungi such as dung mold and other soil decomposers. Cool Facts
•  I grow well on ripe fruit because they are moist and soL enough for me to get my hyphae into quickly. •  If I grow next to my opposite (like what you would call male or female) I am a=racted to them and our hyphae grow together to make spores that combine our genes. •  As I “ripen” or get ready to release spores, I change color from white or green to black. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. Each of me is so Cny you can only see me with a microscope-­‐ if you see me growing on fruit, you’re actually seeing a colony of my friends. Once my spore lands somewhere, I grow there my whole life. I can only eat what I land on. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I usually just make spores myself that are just like me. I build a threadlike stalk and send them off into the air. SomeCmes, though, I let my hyphae grow with a partner and together we make spores that are a mix of our genes. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two? Penicillium Kingdom: Fungi Life Story: General Informa2on I tend to grow on soL fruits and digest them to get my food. I give off a chemical called Penicillin which happens to kill bacteria. Therefore, people started to grow me to make medicine and now they use chemicals to mimic what I make naturally. I’m closely related to: Other imperfect fungi like ringworm, and athlete’s foot. Cool Facts
•  I secrete a chemical that kills bacteria and was accidentally discovered by Alexander Fleming as the first anC-­‐bioCc because I grew on some plates where he was growing bacteria and he noCced that they died. He got a Nobel prize because of me! •  Some of my family members have a bluish color making old fruit look blue and fuzzy. •  I am an important ingredient in blue cheese, camembert, brie, and Roquefort cheeses and am used to flavor sausages and hams as well as to prevent bacteria growth. How does it get it’s food? Type of cells: Does it have a cell wall? How many cells is it made of? Can it move? How do they reproduce? I get my food by giving off digesCve juices that break down what I’m growing on and allow me to absorb the nutrients from them. OLen I grow on dead stuff, so I decompose it as I eat it. Each of my cells has a nucleus (where the DNA is) and lots of other organelles that do special jobs like break down food, make protein, and deliver needed chemicals around the cell. I have a flexible cell membrane like an animal cell, but outside of that I also have a thick structure made of chiCn. This structure helps my cells keep their shape, provides protecCon to my cells, and helps keep water in. Each of me is only a few cells-­‐ if you see me growing on fruit, you’re actually seeing a colony of my friends. Once my spore lands somewhere, I grow there my whole life. I can only eat what I land on. You think animals are cool, but try making a life when you have to eat from all one spot! I make spores that are just like me. They get moved through the air to another moist surface for me to grow on. Am I a producer or consumer? Do I have simple cells or complex cells? Do I have a cell well or no cell wall? Am I made of one cell or many cells? Am I mobile or non-­‐
mobile? Does it take one to reproduce or does it take two?