KINGDOM FUNGI
KINGDOM FUNGI
 General Characteristics
 eukaryotic
 multi-cellular (except for one)
 heterotrophic
 have no chloroplasts
 have cell walls made of CHITIN (not cellulose like
plants). Chitin is a carbohydrate found in insect shells.
 Saprophytes – along with bacteria and some protists
they are major decomposers
KINGDOM FUNGI
 General Characteristics
 eukaryotic
 multi-cellular (except for one)
 heterotrophic
 have no chloroplasts
 have cell walls made of CHITIN (not cellulose like
plants). Chitin is a carbohydrate found in insect shells.
 Saprophytes – along with bacteria and some protists
they are major decomposers
 Video
KINGDOM FUNGI
 Members of kingdom fungi include yeasts, molds, and
mushrooms.
KINGDOM FUNGI
 Members of kingdom fungi include yeasts, molds, and
mushrooms.
 The study of fungi is known a mycology
KINGDOM FUNGI
 Members of kingdom fungi include yeasts, molds, and
mushrooms.
 The study of fungi is known a mycology
 Genetic studies have shown that fungi are more closely
related to animals than plants.
General Structure
General Structure
Multi-cellular fungi are composed of thin filaments
called hyphae.
General Structure
 The hyphae tangle together into a thick mass called a
mycelium.
General Structure
 The “fruiting body” is the visible part of the
mushroom which is only present for a short time when
conditions are good.
 It is made of a solid mass
of hyphae.
General Structure
 Some mycelia are amongst the largest living things on
earth covering thousands of square meters!
General Structure
 Some mycelia are amongst the largest living things on
earth covering thousands of square meters!
 One such structure is the “Fairy Ring” – a circular arc
of mushrooms.
General Structure
 Some mycelia are amongst the largest living things on
earth covering thousands of square meters!
 One such structure is the “Fairy Ring” – a circular arc
of mushrooms.
MYCELIUM
Video
Reproduction
 Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
 Asexual reproduction occurs two ways:
1. hyphae break off a fungus and grow on their own
2. Spores released from the fruiting body grow. Video
 One mushroom can release up to a billion spores.
Reproduction
 Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
 Asexual reproduction occurs two ways:
1. hyphae break off a fungus and grow on their own
2. Spores released from the fruiting body grow.
 One mushroom can release up to a billion spores.
Importance of Fungi
 Human uses:
Importance of Fungi
 Human uses:
 Foods – mushrooms
Importance of Fungi
 Human uses:
 Foods – mushrooms and truffles (Mmmm!)
Up to $3000/pound!
Importance of Fungi
 Human uses:
 Foods – mushrooms and truffles (Mmmm!)
 yeast to make bread, beer,
Importance of Fungi
 Human uses:
 Foods – mushrooms and truffles (Mmmm!)
 yeast to make bread, beer, and antibiotics
Ecological Importance
Ecological Importance
 As saprophytes they are major recyclers
Ecological Importance
 As saprophytes they are major recyclers
 Symbiotic relationships:
 Lichens – a fungus and cyanobacteria
Ecological Importance
 As saprophytes they are major recyclers
 Symbiotic relationships:
 Lichens – a fungus and cyanobacteria
 Mycorrhizae – between green plants and fungus – plants
get N2 and mycorrhizae get food & H2O
Ecological Importance
 As saprophytes they are major recyclers
 Symbiotic relationships:
 Lichens – a fungus and cyanobacteria
 Mycorrhizae – between green plants and fungus – plants
get N2 and mycorrhizae get food & H2O
 Orchids which have fungi covering their roots to
increase their surface area. The fungi benefits from the
plants’ photosynthesis
Diseases Caused by Fungi:
 wheat rust
 athletes foot in humans
 fungi that parasitize and kill
their hosts (like insects)
Diseases Caused by Fungi:
 wheat rust
 athletes foot in humans
 fungi that parasitize and kill
their hosts (like insects)
Awesome Video
Some Fabulous Fungi
AMANITA muscaria
CHICKEN IN THE
WOODS
SHAGGY
MAIN
BOLETUS
CORAL FUNGUS
PUFF BALL
HELVELLA-DEVIL’S SADDLE
PINE MUSHROOM
RUSSULA
Armillaria solidipes
 One of the world’s largest
living organisms!
Scientists have estimated a
single specimen found in
Malheur National Forest in
Oregon to have been
growing for some 2,400
years, covering 3.4 square
miles.
Don’t Eat This!
 Amanita phalloides
accounts for the
majority of fatal
mushroom poisonings
worldwide
 The blue color in
cheeses such as
Stilton or Roquefort
are made by
inoculation with the
fungus Penicillium
roqueforti.
 Video
The End