II. Kingdom Fungi
1. Fungi are heterotrophic multicellular, eukaryotic, non-motile organisms that produce spores to reproduce.
They are ubiquitous, found almost anywhere, in both aquatic and dry habitat.
2. Lifestyles of fungi are varied:
A. Parasitic species that live in or on a host; examples include ringworm, athletes foot, crop rust,
Black spot, ergot, and corn smut.
1.
2.
3
1. Athlete’s foot http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/4a/Athletes.jpg
2. Corn Smut http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/3a/Huitlacoche.jpg
3. Ring Worm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Ringworm_on_the_arm%2C_or_tinea_corporis_due_to_Trichophyto
n_mentagrophytes_PHIL_2938_lores.jpg
B. Mutualistic fungi share relationships with certain kinds of algae; the photosynthetic algae produce
food for the fungi and the fungi absorbs water and provides protection for the algae. This
combination is called a lichen and because of its symbiotic relationship it can survive even on
bare rock. Lichens are called “pioneer species” because of their ability to survive on very few
nutrients and can erode rocks to create soil.
4.
5.
4. Lichen on a wall http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:N2_Lichen.jpg
5. Lichen on rocks http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lichen_squamulose.jpg
C. Free Living fungi are not dependent on other organisms for survival. These include mushrooms,
puffballs, shelf fungi and yeast.
6
7
8
6 Fly Mushroom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Amanita_muscaria_%28fly_agaric%29.JPG
7 Flower Pot Mushroom http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Yellowmushrooms.jpg
8 Puffball releasing spores http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Vessciaesp.jpg
3. Fungi are composed of thousands of thin root-like filaments that branch out to absorb water and nutrients.
A. Hyphae are the filaments of fungi that secrete enzymes to digest nutrients externally, then absorb
them. Sometimes the nuclei of hyphae cells fuse with a nucleus in the hyphae of another fungus to
reproduce sexually.
8.
9
B. Mycelium is the term used to describe hundreds of filaments fused into a solid looking above
ground fungi such as a mushroom.
10.
10. Schematic showing a basidiomycete mushroom, gill structure, and spore-bearing basidia on the gill margins.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Basidium_schematic.svg
C. The “fruiting body” is the part of a mycelium that produces reproductive spores. In a mushroom
there are gills underneath the cap which make and release the spores. Each spore will divide and
grow into a new fungus.
11.
11. Aspergillius fruiting body: spore producers http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Aspergillus.gif
D. Some fungi reproduce by budding (yeast), or divide by mitosis
12.
12. Budding yeast cell http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:S_cerevisiae_under_DIC_microscopy.jpg
4. Harmful Fungi include
A. Those that kill crops, such a smut and rust
B. Some mushrooms are poisonous and others are hallucinogens
C. Mildew and mold destroys fabrics and food
5. Helpful Fungi include
A. Penicillin antibiotics are made from a mold known as penicillium.
B. Fungi that are edible, such as mushrooms and truffles or yeast used to make bread
C. Decomposition of dead plants and animals helps to recycle their nutrients.
D. Cheeses are produced using several different fungi.
E. Lichens are important to many ecosystems in forming soil and retaining moisture.
6. Fungi are classified by the method of spore production.
A. Zygomycota – black bread mold; spores in sporangiophore
13.
13. Single sporangium of black bread mold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Phycomyces.JPG
.
B. Oomycota – water mold; spores in gametangia
14.
14. Water mold http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Water_mold.JPG
C. Ascomycota – yeast; spores in ascus sac
15.
15. Sarcoscypha austriaca http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Scarlet_elf_cap_cadnant_dingle.jpg
D. Basidomycota – mushrooms and puffballs; spores in basidum
16
16. Common stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Phallus_impudicus7_Stinkhorn.jpg
E. Deuteromycota – ringworm, athletes foot, used in some cheeses; no spores
17.
17. Camembert Cheese http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Camembert_%28Cheese%29.jpg
Did you hear the sad story of the mushroom who never got invited to any parties? Too bad, he was such a
Fun Guy!