EfB 210 Exam 2

eukaryotic, achlorophyllous, and utilize absorptive nutrition

Defining Characteristics of Fungi

eukaryotic, achlorophyllous, and utilize absorptive nutrition

Cell Wall Composition

composed primarily of chitin

Body Structure

hyphae → mycelium

Unique Cellular Organelles

subphylum Pezizomycotina: Woronin bodies can plug septal pores to seal off damaged compartments.

Evolutionary History

originated between 500 million and 1 billion years ago

Oomycetes

not considered true fungi.

Homothallism

A self-fertile reproductive strategy where every thallus is sexually self-fertile, exhibits no
distinct mating types, and is non-outcrossing.

Self-Fertile Strategy: Single thallus completes sexual cycle.
No Mating Types: Lacks distinct compatibility barriers.
Non-Outcrossing: Reproduces sexually without partner.

Heterothallism

A self-sterile reproductive strategy requiring outcrossing between compatible mating types.

Self-Sterile Strategy: Requires compatible mating partner.
Distinct Mating Types: Genetic factors govern fusion.
Mandatory Outcrossing: Promotes genetic recombination.

Plasmogamy

The non-sexual fusion of protoplasts

Karyogamy

The subsequent fusion of haploid nuclei

Meiosis

Division leading directly to the formation of haploid fungal spores

Ascus Diversity

unitunicate, protunicate, and bitunicate

Chytridiomycota

Predominantly aquatic fungi known for producing
motile zoospores.

Ascomycota

Sac fungi that reproduce sexually via ascospores
or asexually via conidia.

(Subphyla: Saccharomycotina, Taphrinomycotina, Pezizomycotina.)

Basidiomycota

Characterized by septate mycelium featuring
clamp connections.

(Subphyla: Agaricomycotina,
Ustilaginomycotina, Pucciniomycotina.)

Mucoromycota

Major ecological group that includes common
molds and mycorrhizal symbionts

Zoopagomycota

Features many species equipped with specialized
adhesive traps and structures called haustoria.

Important Plant Pathogens

● Cryphonectria: Chestnut trees
● Nectria: Beech trees
● Ophiostoma: Dutch elm trees

Chytridiomycosis

A devastating fungal disease driving massive population die-offs in frogs and other
amphibians worldwide.

Autoecism

Describes a rust fungus that completes its entire life cycle on a single host species.

Mushroom Poisoning Groups

● Group I: Amanita species (cyclopeptide toxins).
● Group II: False morels (Gyromitra species).
● Group III: Cortinarius species (oenanthotoxin/orellanine).

Crustose

Tightly adhered directly to the substrate.

Foliose

Leaf-like, flat with distinct lobes attached to the
substrate.

Umbilicate

Attached to the substrate at a single central point.

Fruticose

Shrubby, hair-like, or pendulous with rounded or
flattened branches.

Gelatinous

Thalli containing cyanobacteria that swell when
wet

General Bryophyte/ Land Plant Traits

● Bryophytes possess a dominant haploid gametophyte phase.
● They are poikilohydric, meaning they cannot actively regulate their internal water content relative to the
environment.

• Acrocarps grow upright with terminal capsules;
  Pleurocarps creep horizontally with lateral
  capsules

Liverwort Diversity

occur in both leafy and thalloid morphological forms.

Acrocarpous Mosses

Grow upright in tufts or cushions with unbranched stems and terminal
capsules.

Pleurocarpous Mosses

Spread horizontally in creeping, branched carpets with lateral capsules.

Moss Life Forms

Cushion, Protonemal Mat, and Weft represent specific structural canopy architectures categorized as
Life Forms.

Carboniferous Lignin Decomposition Milestone

Evolution of enzymes capable of digesting cellulose and tough lignin polymers.