Chapter 17b: Overview of Fungi and Their Roles

Heterotrophic eukaryotes

Organisms that obtain their food by absorption.

Hyphe

Mass of threadlike filament that forms mycelium.

Mycorrhiza

Symbiosis between fungi and plant roots that absorbs phosphorus and essential minerals and shares with the host plant.

Spores

Heterokaryotic stages resulting from the fusion of haploid hyphae containing nuclei from two parents.

Heterokaryotic stages

fusion of haploid hyphae; containing nuclei from 2 parents

Imperfect fungi

Fungi that reproduce only asexually through spores.

Mold

Fungi characterized by rapid growth and asexual reproduction.

Yeast

Single-celled fungi that produce alcohol and cause bread to rise.

Decomposers

Break down organic matter

Antibiotic

a medicine used to save lives because it destroys harmful bacteria and cures infections

Mycorrhizae

Fungi that act as decomposers and digest petroleum products.

Lichen

A symbiotic relationship between green algae and cyanobacteria within fungal hyphae, making food for fungi via photosynthesis.

Plant parasites

30% of all fungi that act as parasites.

Human fungal diseases

Diseases caused by fungi, including ringworm (Trichophyton rubrum) and vaginal yeast infection (candida albicans).

Animal parasites

more than 500 species

Ringworm

trichophyton rubrum

Vaginal yeast infection

candida albicans