Fungal Growth, Support, and Reproduction

These flashcards cover vocabulary related to the characteristics, growth, structure, and reproduction of fungi as articulated in the lecture notes.

Heterotrophic

Organisms that obtain their food by ingesting other organisms or organic matter.

Chitin

A long-chain polymer of N-acetylglucosamine, which makes up the cell walls of fungi.

Apical Growth

Growth that occurs at the tips of structures, such as hyphae or plant roots.

Turgor Pressure

The pressure exerted by fluid in a cell that pushes the plasma membrane against the cell wall, providing structural support.

Osmotic Pump

A mechanism by which fungi utilize osmotic pressure to transport fluids and nutrients through their hyphae.

Exoenzymes

Enzymes secreted by fungi to break down complex organic material into simpler substances for absorption.

Mycelium

The vegetative part of fungi, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae.

Dikaryotic

A stage in fungi where two nuclei coexist within a hyphal cell without fusing.

Fruiting Bodies

Reproductive structures of fungi that produce and disperse spores.

Mitospores

Spores produced by mitosis that are genetically identical to the parent organism.

Meiospores

Spores produced by meiosis that are genetically diverse from the parent organism.

Ectomycorrhizae

Symbiotic associations between fungi and the roots of woody plants that enhance nutrient exchange.

Glycogen

A multi-branched polysaccharide of glucose that serves as a form of energy storage in fungi.

Septae

Partial cross-walls in some fungal hyphae that allow movement of cytoplasm and organelles.

Primordia

Small structures that develop into fruiting bodies in fungi when conditions are favorable.

Mycorrhizal fungi

Fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, exchanging nutrients and enhancing plant growth.

Coenocytic

A condition in which a fungal mycelium is multinucleate without cell division.

Chytridiomycota

A phylum of fungi known for their aquatic habitats and flagellated spores.

Zygomycota

A phylum of fungi that includes the bread molds and characterized by the formation of zygospores.

Basidiomycota

A phylum of fungi that produce spores on basidia, includes mushrooms and toadstools.

Ascomycota

A phylum of fungi known for producing spores in sacs called asci.

Transport Vesicles

Membrane-bound structures that move materials within cells, particularly in the hyphae.

Spitzenkörper

A structure at the hyphal tip that organizes growth and directionality in fungal hyphae.

Dilute Nutrient Solution

A media in which fungi receive essential nutrients more efficiently due to their high surface area.