unit 2: kingdom fungi + kingdom plantae

definitions, questions for sure on exam, SI kahoot

fungi

important ecologically as decomposers/recyclers; show very primitive characteristics suggesting they are one of the earliest, multicelled eukaryotes 

plants

impacted earth + the rest of life immeasurably through photosynthesis (along with the closely related protistan algae) + habitat formation; their evolution has helped shape the evolutionary histories of most other major groups, especially animals 

saprobes

heterotrophic fungi that receive nutrients from dead organic matter

symbionts

heterotrophic fungi that receive nutrients from living, organic matter

thallus/mycelium

body of the fungal organism

hyphae

filaments that make of thallus/mycelium

septate

cell walls partition cells

coenocytic

no wall partitions

haustoria

specialized hyphae that release exoenzymes for extracellular digestion

sexual reproduction in kingdom fungi

plasmogamy → dikaryotic stage (n+n) → karyogamy → diploid stage (2n) → meiosis → spore-prodycing structures (n) → spores (n) → germination → mycelium (n)

asexual reproduction in kingdom fungi

spore-producing structures (n) → spores (n) → germination → mycelium (n)

another word for fertilization

syngamy

plasmogamy

only the cell walls + plasma membranes join, completely fusing the cytoplasm

dikaryon (n+n)

structural cellular condition where exactly 2 distinct haploid nuclei reside within the same cell compartment

heterokaryon

same as dikaryon because the 2 individual haploid nuclei originate from genetically different individuals; nuclei are different

homokaryon

nuclei are the same

karyogamy

when the 2 separate haploid nuclei finally fuse together

asexual reproduction in phylum zygomycota

nonmotile spores formed in a sporangium are dispersed by air

sexual reproduction in phylum zygomycota

zygospores

common types of phylum zygomycota

Rhizopus (black bread mold)

sexual reproduction in phylum ascomycota

acrospores

asexual reproduction in phylum ascomycota

conidia pinch off from conidiophores

ascus (plural - asci)

microscopic, sac-like structure where sexual spores (ascospores) devleop – typically 8 spores per save

ascocarp

larger visible fruiting body made up of millions of hyphae + thousands of asci

common types of phylum ascomycota

yeast, powdery mildews, molds, morels, truffles

key representatives of phylum ascomycota

Peziza, Saccharomyces/yeast, Claviceps + rye ergot, Penicillum → penicillin

Peziza

classic genus of cup fungi often used in biology labs to demonstrate the structure of an ascocarp under a microscope

Saccharomyces/yeast

single-celled ascomycetes that reproduce primarily budding

Claviceps + rye ergot

plant pathogen that infects rye + grains, producing toxic compounds (ergot alkaloids) that cause ergotism when ingested

Penicillum → penicillin

mold genus that yields the first modern antibiotic, revolutionized medical science, + gives blue cheese its distinct flavor

sexual reproduction in phylum basidiomycota

basidiospores

asexual reproduction in phylum basidiomycota

uncommon

basidium (basidia)

microscopic, club-shaped structure where basidiospores are formed; typically 4 spores per club

basidiocarp

complex, visible fruiting body (mushroom cap + stalk) constructed from millions of tightly woven hyphae bearing those basidia

key representatives/common types of phylum basidiomycota

mushrooms, bracket fungi, puffballs, rusts, smuts

mushrooms

standard umbrella-shaped fruiting structures, many of which are edible

toadstools

common name often used to distinguish poisonous or inedible wild mushrooms from edible ones

puffballs

fungi that form spherical fruiting bodies; when mature, they release millions of powdery spores through a central hole when stepped on or bumped by rain

bracket fungi (shelf fungi)

hard, woody fungi that grows horizontally out of tree trunks like shelves, decaying the wood

“fairy rings”

naturally occurring circle of mushrooms that sprout at the outer edge of an expanding underground mycelium network as it depletes nutrients in the center

do phylum deutermycota reproduce sexually

no!

asexual reproduction of phylum deutermycota

reproduce strictly asexually by generating spores (conidiospores or conidia) at the tips of specialized hyphae

common types of phylum deutermycota

molds

key representatives of phylum deutermycota

molds, ringworm, predatory fungus

molds

 includes various household + food-spoiling molds

ringworm

not a worm; common fungal skin infections (like athlete’s foot) caused by dermatophytes; names for its red, ring-like rash

predatory fungus

specialized fungi that trap microscopic nematode worms using modified hyphae formatted as constricted loops or sticky knobs to digest them

mycorrhizae

extremely important mutualistic association between the roots of “most plants” + fungi. host plants provide food for fungus while water + mineral uptake by plants are enhanced by fungal hyphae

lichens

mutualistic (typically) association between fungi + either algae or cyanobacteria; algae provide food while fungi provide structural positioning for photosynthesis, in most cases considerably outside the regular habitats for algal growth

significance of lichens

important “pioneer species” in helping to establish terrestrial ecosystems

morphological types of lichen

crustose, fruitcose, foliose

crustose

crust-like, flattened tight against rocks or bark

fruitcose

shrubby, branched, or moss-like 3D structures

foliose

leaf-life, flattened structures with distinct top + bottom layers

kingdom plantae characteristics

photosynthetic, autotrophs, + cellulose-based cell wall 

alternation of generations

a reproductive strategy where plants alternate between a multicellular diploid (2n) phase + a multicellular haploid (n) phase

syngamy

 the overall process of 2 gametes joining to form a diploid zygote; happens in 2 steps: plasmogamy and karyogamy

plasmogamy

fusion of the cell cytoplasm from 2 gametes

karyogamy

fusion of the 2 cell nuclei

2 types of spores

homospory and heterospory

homospory

the sporophyte produces 1 single type of spore, which grows into a bisexual gametophyte capable of making both egg + sperm

heterospory

the sporophyte produces 2 distinct kinds of spores

spores produced in heterospory

megaspore and microspore

megaspore

larger spore that germinates into a female gametophyte producing only eggs

microspore

smaller spore that germinates into a male gametophyte producing only sperm

isomorphic

the gametophyte (n) + sporophyte (2n) generations look morphologically identical to each other

heteromorphic

the gametophyte (n) + sporophyte (2n) generations look distinct + structurally different from each other

isogamy

gametes (sperm/egg) are identical in size, shape, + motility (both can swim)

anisogamy

gametes differ in size, but both are still motile (though often swimming at different speeds due to size difference)

oogamy

extreme specialization into 2 distinct types - egg and sperm

egg

large, nutrient-rich, + immotile (don’t swim)

sperm

small, streamlined, + motile (swims to the egg)

common name of phylum bryophyta

mosses

common name of phylum hepatophyta

liverworts

common name of phylum anthocerophyta

hornworts

microphylls

small, simple leaves with a single unbranched vascular vein

megaphylls

larger leaves with a highly branched vascular network

phylum lycophyta is also known as

club mosses

phylum lycophyta characteristics

• posses true roots for anchorage + nutrient absorption

• bear small leaves with a single vein

phylum psilophyta is also known as

whisk ferns

phylum psilophyta characteristics

secondarily lost true roots + leaves; photosynthesis occurs in green, branching stems

phylum sphenophyta is also known as

horsetails or scouring rush

phylum sphenophyta characteristics

• possess true root systems 

• jointed stems are reinforced with abrasive silica particles 

• tiny microphylls arranged in whorls at stem nodes

Equisetum (phylum sphenophyta)

the single surviving genus of horsetails

phylum pterophyta is also known as

ferns

phylum pterophyta characteristics

• many are shade tolerant; used to growing in lower light levels (more shade)

• well-developed root systems

fronds (megaphylls)

large complex leaves with branched vascular systems

all divisions/phylums of gymnosperms

cycadophyta, ginkgophyta, gnetophyta, coniferophyta

divison cycadophyta

cyads; palm-like plants found in tropical + subtropical regions with large, compound leaves + central cones

division ginkgophyta

represented today by a single surviving species known as Ginkgo biloba known for its distinct fan-shaped leaves + resistance to pollution

division gnetophyta

diverse group containing three distinct genera (Welwitschia, Gnetum, Ephedra) sharing vessel elements in their xylem

division coniferophyta

• known as conifers or evergreens 

• includes record-holding organisms like bristlecone pines (oldest), coastal redwoods (tallest), + giant sequoias (most massive)

• needle-like or scale-like leaves with thick cuticles reduce water loss in cold or dry environments 

• primary source of timber, paper pulp, + resin worldwide

micropyle

a tiny opening in the ovule’s integument through which the pollen tube enters to reach the egg

monocotyledon

aka monocots, embryo has one seed leaf

dicotyledon

aka eudicots, embryo has two seed leaves

phylum anthophyta

• flowering plants

• represents over 90% of all living plant species

annual seed dispersal

plants that complete their life cycles in a single year. because parent plants die off, seed dispersal away from the immediate spot is less critical for reducing competition

perennials seed dispersal

plants that live for multiple years. dispersal is essential so offspring do not directly compete for light + soil space with the long-lived parent plant

fruits (ripened ovary)

mature ovary tissue surrounding seeds, tailored to be eaten or carried by animals to facilitate seed dispersal

normal ploidy in fungus

haploid