KINGDOM FUNGI
Characteristics of Fungi
All fungi…
Are eukaryotic
Are heterotrophic
(saprotrophic)
Have cell walls of chitin
Contain hyphae
Most fungi are…
multicellular
Yeasts are single celled
Honey Mushrooms
Fungi Structures
Cell Walls
Made of chitin (same as
arthropod exoskeletons!)
Hyphae
Threadlike filaments which
make up the “body” of a
fungus
Mycelium
Netlike mass of branching
hyphae
Fungi Structures
Fruiting Body
The reproductive
structures of a fungus
seen above ground
Nutrition in Fungi
All fungi are heterotrophs…
do they?
Ingest Digest
Digest Ingest
Digest and then ingest!
Fungi produce enzymes which
break down organic matter,
allowing it to be absorbed.
Nutrition in Fungi
There are three ways in which fungi obtain nutrition:
1. Saprophytic fungi: feeds on dead organisms or
organic wastes.
2. Parasitic fungi: absorb nutrients from living cells.
3. Mutualistic fungi: live in a close relationship with
another species (such as a plant or algae)
Example: Mycelium cover the roots of a soybean plant – the
fungus gets sugar from the plant and increases the plant’s
water intake and mineral absorption.
Nutrition in Fungi
Saprophytic Fungi
Fairy Rings
Reproduction in Fungi
Fungi are classified by their structure and patterns
of reproduction
Some fungi reproduce asexually, some sexually, and
some are capable of both!
Asexual reproduction of fungi
Budding, Fragmentation, Spore Production
Sexual reproduction of fungi
Spore production from meiosis
Reproduction in Fungi
Asexual Reproduction
Budding
Yeast cells. New cell
develops and pinches
off from parent cell.
Fragmentation
Mycelium is physically
broken apart
(fragmented), lands and
begins to grow.
Reproduction in Fungi
Spore Production
Spores are used in both the asexual and sexual life
cycles of most fungi
Asexual:
Reproductive haploid cell that develops without fertilization
Sexual:
The diploid reproductive structures
of the fungus produce haploid spores
through meiosis
Reproduction in Fungi
Spores are fungal adaptations for survival
Many spores are produced
Spores are small and lightweight
Protected by a tough, waterproof cell wall
Some spores produced in a sporangium (sac or case)
The fruiting body of the fungus is the sporophore, the structure which produces the spores. The classification of fungi is based on the type of sporophore it produces.
Diversity of Fungi
Four major phyla of fungi
1. Chytridiomycota (Chytrids)
2. Zygomycota (Common Molds)
3. Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)
4. Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Chytridiomycota
(Chytrids)
Some are saprophytes, some are
parasitic
Most are aquatic
Unique characteristic: flagellated
spores
Thought to be the first true fungi
Perhaps the link between fungus-like
protists and other fungi
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Zygomycota
(Common Molds)
Multicellular
Most are terrestrial
Many form mutualistic
relationships with plants
Reproduce both asexually
and sexually
Bread molds!
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Zygomycota (Common Molds)
Molds form different types of hyphae
Stolons: spread across the surface of food
Rhizoids: penetrates the food and absorbs nutrients
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Ascomycota
(Sac Fungi)
Most are multicellular, few
are unicellular (yeasts)
Live in a variety of habitats
Saprophytic, parasitic or
mututalistic
Reproduce both asexually
and sexually
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Ascomycota
Very complicated life cycle
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Basidiomycota
(Club Fungi)
Mushrooms!
Most are multicellular
Saprophytic, parasitic or
mutualistic
Major decomposers of
wood
Diversity of Fungi
Phylum Basidiomycota
Rarely produce
asexually
Produce Basidiocarp
(fruiting body)
Underside of cap has
basidia (gills on which
spores form)
Diversity of Fungi
Deuteromycota
(Imperfect Fungi)
Imperfect because they
do NOT have a sexual
stage
Very diverse
True phylum?
Penicillin, athletes foot
and yeast infection
fungi
Ecology of Fungi
Fungi and Photosynthesizers
Lichens
Symbiotic relationship between fungus and algae
Mychorrhizae
Symbiotic relationship between fungus and plant roots
Ecology of Fungi
Lichens
Fungi provide a dense web for the algae to grow
Algae produce usable sugars
Very resilient
Bioindicators (sensitive to environmental changes)
Ecology of Fungi
Mycorrhizae
Fungus absorbs and concentrates
minerals for the plant
Hyphae also increase the
surface area of the plant’s root
system
Fungus receives sugars and
proteins from the plant
Results in healthier and more
vigorous plants
Fungi and Humans
Benefits of Fungi
Bioremediation
Recycling of nutrients to “clean” an
environment
Medicines
Pennicillium notatum
Claviceps purpurea
Tolypocladium inflatum
Foods
Mushrooms, yeast, alcohol, cheese
Fungi and Humans
Harmful fungi
Destruction of plants and crops
American Elm Trees & American
Chestnut Trees
Parasitic Fungi
Infect insects
Athlete’s foot, ringworm, yeast
infections, oral thrush