Biol 122 Impact of Microbes - Introduction to Fungi

Vocabulary flashcards for key terms related to the introduction to fungi lecture.

Fungi

A unique and diverse group of organisms, varying in activity, shape, and form, from unicellular yeasts to humongous fungi like Amillaria.

Eukaryotes

Organisms whose cells have a nucleus enclosed within a nuclear envelope.

Chitin

A primary component in cell walls of fungi.

Polysaccharides

A component of fungal cell walls.

Haploid

Nuclei contain one set of chromosomes (n).

Heterotrophs

Organisms obtaining energy by degrading complex organic molecules as they cannot produce their own food.

Saprophytes

Organisms that derive nutrients from dead remains.

Necrophytes

Organisms deriving nutrients from organisms they have killed.

Biotrophs

Organisms deriving nutrients from a living host.

Nuclear Mitosis (Fungi)

Takes place within the nucleus, contrasting with other eukaryotes where the nuclear envelope breaks down.

Yeasts

Single-celled fungi, such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe, reproducing asexually by budding.

Filamentous Fungi (Molds)

Multicellular fungi forming long, thread-like filaments called hyphae, which form a mycelium.

Hyphae

Long, thread-like filaments that make up filamentous fungi.

Mycelium

A colony or mass of hyphae forming the body of a filamentous fungus.

Dimorphic Fungi

Fungi that can switch between yeast and filamentous forms based on environmental cues like temperature and CO2 levels.

Asexual Reproduction (Fungi)

Typically involves budding in yeasts and generation of lightweight spores in filamentous fungi for dispersion.

Sexual Reproduction (Fungi)

Involves the union of compatible nuclei to form a diploid (2n) state, often under nutrient-poor conditions, resulting in hardy spores.

Conidiospores

A type of asexual spore formed by fungi.

Sporangiospores

A type of asexual spore formed within a sporangium.

Dikaryon

A cell or organism carrying two genetically different nuclei.

Chytridiomycota

A division of fungi containing approximately 1000 species.

Zygomycota

A division of fungi containing approximately 1000 species characterized often by aseptate hyphae and zygospores.

Ascomycota

A division of fungi containing approximately 65,000 species, often with septate hyphae and ascospores.

Basidiomycota

A division of fungi containing approximately 30,000 species, characterized by septate hyphae (dikaryons) and basidiospores.

Aseptate hyphae

Hyphae lacking cross-walls or septa.

Septate hyphae

Hyphae containing cross-walls or septa.

Zygospore

A diploid sexual spore characteristic of Zygomycetes.

Conidiospores (Ascomycetes)

Haploid asexual spores produced by Ascomycetes, formed from conidiophores.

Ascospores

Haploid sexual spores produced by Ascomycetes after meiosis and mitosis.

Basidiospores

Haploid sexual spores produced by Basidiomycetes after meiosis, formed on basidia.

Basidiocarps

Fruiting bodies of Basidiomycetes, such as edible mushrooms.

Deuteromycetes

Fungi with no known sexual reproduction cycle; asexual spores are formed in various ways.