Fungus

What is the basic cellular characteristic of fungi?

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms.

How do fungi obtain nutrients?

Fungi are heterotrophic and obtain nutrients via saprotrophy (decomposing dead organic matter) and osmotrophy (absorbing nutrients after external digestion).

What is the composition of fungal cell walls?

Fungal cell walls are made of chitin.

What molecule do fungi store food as, similar to animals?

Fungi store food as glycogen.

What pigment do fungi produce for protection?

Fungi produce pigments, including melanin, for protection.

What is a common example of Zygospore Fungi?

Rhizopus stolonifer (black bread mold) is a common example.

What is the primary mode of nutrition for Zygospore Fungi?

Zygospore Fungi are mostly saprotrophs, meaning they decompose dead organic matter.

Describe the basic structure of Zygospore Fungi.

Their hyphae form a mycelium, and sporangia produce spores.

Can Zygospore Fungi be parasitic?

Yes, some Zygospore Fungi are parasites of soil protists, worms, and insects.

What is a defining structural feature of Ascomycota hyphae?

Ascomycota (Sac Fungi) have septate hyphae.

Name some common examples of Ascomycota.

Neurospora, morels and truffles, yeasts, Penicillium, Aspergillus, and Candida are common examples.

How do yeasts (a type of Ascomycota) reproduce asexually?

Yeasts reproduce asexually by budding.

How do other Ascomycetes reproduce asexually?

Other Ascomycetes produce conidia on conidiophores, which are wind-dispersed.

Describe sexual reproduction in Ascomycota.

An ascus forms inside an ascocarp, where mitosis + meiosis result in 8 ascospores.

What are some plant diseases caused by Ascomycota?

Ascomycota can cause powdery mildew, ergot, and Dutch elm disease.

What is a defining structural feature of Basidiomycota hyphae?

Basidiomycota (Club Fungi) also have septate hyphae.

Name some common examples of Basidiomycota.

Mushrooms, puffballs, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, Amanita spp. (death cap, destroying angel), smuts, and rusts are common examples.

What is 'Foxfire' in Basidiomycota?

Foxfire refers to the bioluminescence produced by some Basidiomycota via luciferase/luciferin.

Describe sexual reproduction in Basidiomycota.

Haploid hyphae fuse to form a dikaryotic mycelium, which then forms a basidiocarp (mushroom). Basidia within the basidiocarp undergo nuclear fusion + meiosis to produce basidiospores.

What is a mushroom from a fungal perspective?

A mushroom is the fruiting body of tightly packed hyphae.

How is Agaricus bisporus (the common edible mushroom) grown and known?

Agaricus bisporus is grown on straw + manure, typically known as button, cup, or portobello mushrooms depending on its stage.

What is notable about Psilocybin mushrooms?

Psilocybin mushrooms contain psychoactive compounds.

Which toxin is primarily found in Amanita phalloides (Death Cap) and Amanita bisporigera (Destroying Angel)?

Amatoxins are found in these deadly mushrooms.

What toxin is associated with Cortinarius spp. (Webcaps)?

Orellanin is the toxin found in Cortinarius species.

Which poisonous mushroom is known as the 'Jack-o’-Lantern' and what is its toxin?

Omphalotus illudens, also known as the Jack-o’-Lantern mushroom, produces Illudin and is bioluminescent.

Name a highly toxic mushroom that produces trichothecenes.

Podostroma cornu-damae produces Trichothecenes and is extremely toxic.

What is bioluminescence?

Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms through a chemical reaction.

In which types of organisms is bioluminescence found?

Bioluminescence is found in bacteria, fungi, dinoflagellates, cnidarians, mollusks, arthropods, insects, and fish.

List some uses of bioluminescence in nature.

Bioluminescence is used to attract mates (e.g., fireflies), lure prey (e.g., anglerfish), for defense (e.g., glowing ink), camouflage (counter-illumination), and communication.

What causes White Nose Syndrome (WNS) in bats?

White Nose Syndrome is caused by Pseudogymnoascus destructans, a cold-loving sac fungus, introduced around 2005.

What are the common symptoms of White Nose Syndrome in affected bats?

Symptoms include white fungal growth on the nose, ears, and wings, along with frequent waking from torpor, leading to weight loss, dehydration, and death.

What has been the ecological impact of White Nose Syndrome?

WNS has killed 5-7 million bats and has been found in 33 U.S. states and 7 Canadian provinces.

Which antibiotic drugs are derived from Penicillium?

Penicillin and Amoxicillin are antibiotics derived from Penicillium.

What is Cyclosporin A used for and from what is it derived?

Cyclosporin A is used as an anti-rejection drug for organ transplants and is derived from Tolypocladium inflatum.

What are Ergot alkaloids used for and what is their source?

Ergot alkaloids are used to treat migraines and to induce labor, sourced from Claviceps purpurea.

Which fungal species produces Lovastatin for cholesterol lowering?

Aspergillus terreus produces Lovastatin, which is used to lower cholesterol.

List some harmful impacts of fungi on humans.

Harmful impacts include black mold, Tinea infections (Athlete’s foot, nail fungus, ringworm), aflatoxin production by Aspergillus flavus, and ergot poisoning from contaminated barley.

List some helpful impacts of fungi on humans.

Helpful impacts include Penicillium for antibiotics and cheese production (e.g., Camembert, Bleu), and yeasts for baking, brewing beer, and making wine.

What is a lichen composed of?

A lichen is a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually a green alga or cyanobacterium.

Describe the symbiotic relationship in lichens.

The fungus absorbs nutrients, while the photosynthetic partner produces food. This relationship is often considered mutualistic, though sometimes described as parasitic, as the fungus usually cannot live alone, but the alga can.

Name and describe the three main types of lichens.

1. Crustose: Flat and crusty, found on rocks and bark.
2. Foliose: Leaf-like in appearance, found on trees and soil.
3. Fruticose: Shrubby, found in forests and tundra.

What are the ecological roles and environmental indicators of lichens?

Lichens are found in extreme environments, help form soil, and are sensitive to air pollution due to absorbing nutrients directly from the air.

What is the main function of mycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae increase the absorptive surface of plant roots, helping plants acquire essential nutrients like P, Cu, and Zn, especially in poor soil.

Differentiate between endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.

1. Endomycorrhizae: Fungal hyphae penetrate the plant root cell walls (but not the cytoplasm), forming structures called arbuscules inside the cells.
2. Ectomycorrhizae: Fungal hyphae form an outer mantle around the root and grow between the root cells but do not penetrate them.

In which plants are endomycorrhizae commonly found?

Endomycorrhizae are common in plants like apple trees, legumes, and tomatoes.

In which plants are ectomycorrhizae commonly found?

Ectomycorrhizae are common in trees like oak and pine, and are also associated with truffles.

What are fungal endophytes?

Fungal endophytes are fungi that live inside plant leaves and stems without causing disease.

What are the benefits that fungal endophytes provide to plants?

Endophytes provide benefits such as producing toxins/antibiotics to deter pests, enhancing heat tolerance, and improving overall growth of the plant.