Lecture 9: Fungal Diversity and Characteristics

Flashcards covering key concepts related to fungal diversity, morphology, nutrition, reproductive traits, and taxonomic classifications.

What are the common traits of fungi?

Fungi have hyphae, mycelia, can exist in yeast or multicellular forms, and reproduce via spores.

What differentiates fungal spores from endospores?

Fungal spores are non-motile reproductive cells, while endospores are highly resistant structures for survival.

What are the two main phyla of fungi covered in the lecture?

Ascomycota and Basidiomycota.

Describe the reproductive structure found in Ascomycota.

Ascomycota have an ascus, a small sac-like structure that produces ascospores.

What is the primary difference in cell walls between fungi and plants?

Fungi have chitin cell walls, while plants have cellulose cell walls.

How do fungi obtain their nutrients?

Most fungi are saprobes, extracting nutrients from dead tissues and secreting enzymes to break down organic molecules.

What is mycelium in fungi?

Mycelium is a mass of hyphae that forms the vegetative part of a fungus.

What is the significance of fruiting bodies in fungi?

Fruiting bodies are spore-producing organs that launch spores into the air.

Define dimorphic fungi.

Dimorphic fungi can switch between single-celled forms and multicellular forms, such as yeast and molds.

What is the structure that forms between compatible mating strains in Basidiomycota?

A dikaryon is formed when cytoplasms of hyphae from plus and minus strains fuse.