Work Hard. Get Smart.
Main Course
Biologist’s Name: _________________________________ Class: 8__ Date: ______________
Mrs. Bouchard– 8th Grade Science
Six Kingdoms Poster Activity: Fungi
Directions: Read the purpose questions below, then begin to read the text. You should focus
your reading on finding the answers to those questions. Then, follow the directions to continue
the activity.
Answer
Purpose Question
Is this kingdom made of prokaryotes (simple cells with no nucleus) or
eukaryotes (complex cells with a nucleus)?
Is this kingdom made of unicellular organisms (one-celled bodies) or
multicellular organisms (many-celled bodies)?
Is this kingdom made of autotrophs (organisms that make their own
food) or heterotrophs (organisms that must eat to live).
What is a key fact everyone should know about this kingdom?
(If you find more than one, that is fine.)
BE CAREFUL: Is the answer to your question true of all, most or some of the kingdom?
You should then turn to the organizer on Page 3 and write that information. If you have
already answered your purpose question, you should then read for the general question,
“What makes this kingdom unique?”
Fungi
When you hear “fungus,” you might think of something gross. However, not all fungi
(pronounced “fun guy”) are gross. If you have eaten mushrooms, then you have eaten fungi!
Let’s start with a quick overview. The most famous member of the fungi kingdom are
mushrooms, like the Amanita muscaria you see below. However, the kingdom also includes
molds – like what you find on food that’s been left out to long – and mildews – the fuzzy stuff
that can form in your shower if you don’t clean it.
Unlike animals, no fungi can move on their own. As a result, fungi move around when they
reproduce – which they do by making small spheres called spores. The spores are surrounded by
a protective covering and can be carried easily through air or water to new sites. A fungus might
produce millions of these spores, but only a handful will find landing spots where they can grow.
All fungi are eukaryotes. That means that the cells of organisms in the fungi kingdom have nuclei
to hold their DNA – the “blueprints” that explain how an organism will grow and develop over
time. In fact, eukaryotic cells don’t just have nuclei. They also have the other advanced
organelles we’ve studied, such as the golgi body and endoplasmic reticulum.
Almost all fungi are multicellular, which means their bodies are made of many cells. Think about
mushrooms you’ve seen outside. You can see them with your eyes, and you don’t need a
microscope, so they have to be made of many, many cells. In fact, the largest organism ever
discovered is a 3.5-mile wide fungus! However, some members of the fungi kingdom, like yeast,
are unicelllar – their bodies are made of just one cell.
All fungi are heterotrophs, which means they must eat to live. They cannot make their own food.
Specifically, most fungi feed by absorbing nutrients from dead or decaying organisms. Once a
fungus lands on a dead organism, it releases digestive chemicals into its food, and then absorbs
the digested nutrients once the food is broken down.
Fungi might sound gross, and in fact, some of them are. In humans, fungi cause ringworm,
athlete’s foot and ringworm. Fungi can cause disease in plants, too. A fungus
outbreak can severely damage a farmer’s crops.
A. muscaria
However, fungi are actually really important. By breaking down dead material,
fungi help nutrients cycle through nature. Most plants could not grow without
fungi that live in their roots and supply them with essential nutrients. Other
fungi provide us with drugs, such as penicillin and antibiotics. Fungi provide us
with foods such as mushrooms and truffles, are used to create the bubbles in
champagne, and allow bread to rise. So, don’t hate – not all fungi are bad!
Kingdoms Graphic Organizer
REMEMBER: Be clear about whether the information in each box is true of all, most or some of the
organisms within each kingdom. Write full sentences that make clear what the words mean.
Is this kingdom made of prokaryotes or
eukaryotes?
Are this kingdom’s organisms unicellular or
multicellular?
Kingdom Name:
Is this kingdom made of
autotrophs or heterotrophs?
What is a key fact everyone
should know about this kingdom?
Done? Great! Turn to the back of this page to continue.
Work Hard. Get Smart.
1. Time to make a poster!
You will need poster paper and markers or crayons.
2. There are three more elements your poster needs:
1) a drawing of an example organism, labeled with its name and a caption,
2) a title, and 3) the names and section (ex: 8C) of the team members.
3. Check that your poster has all of these things needed for full credit:
1. Whether your kingdom is made of prokaryotes or eukaryotes.
2. Whether your kingdom is made of unicellular or multicellular organisms.
3. Whether your kingdom is made of autotrophs or heterotrophs.
4. At least one key fact someone should know about your kingdom.
•
Numbers 1-4 must be in complete sentences,
and be clear about all, most or some.
5. A drawing of a sample organism, labeled with its name.
6. A title.
7. Your name and section (ex: 8C).
Woo-hoo! You’re done with your kingdom poster! If this
was your first one, then move on to the second.