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