BIO III - Fungi

Hyphae

microscopic threadlike filaments of a fungal mycelium

Mycelium

interwoven mass of hyphae that forms the body of a fungus

Saprophytic nutrition

secrete enzymes into their environment and degrade the organic substrate then reabsorb the nutrients and carbon that's released from those

Spores

primary reproductive unit for all fungi; in eukaryotes, a single haploid cell produced by meiosis; it is distinct from a gamete, however, in being able to grow into a multicellular, haploid organism through mitotic divisions directly (no fertilization required).

Chytrids

the only fungi that produce motile cells (flagellated cells); fungal decomposer of plant material in wet soils, ponds, and lakes

Zygomycetes

food molds; form yoked hyphae that produce sporangia

Sporangia

spore forming structures

Plasmogamy

fusion of the cytoplasm of two individuals

Karyogamy

fusion of two haploid nuclei to form a diploid nucleus

Pilobolus

type of zygomycetous mold that grows on animal dung in fields

Glomeromycota

group of fungi that are obligate symboints with most plant roots; monophyletic group of soil fungi that form arbuscular mycorrhizae with most land plants

arbuscular mycorrhizae fungi (AMF)

penetrate the root cell wall to contact the plasma membrane

Arbuscules

where the hyphae grow and create an exchange point where they can get carbon from the plant and then they grow their hyphae out in the soil and degrade nutrients and return phosphorous and nitrogen back to the plant

Ascomycota

sac fungi that produce spores in asci

Budding

when daughter cells pinch off the parent cell after mitosis

Lichens

consist of a fungus and a photosynthetic alga or cyanobacterium; they can survive extreme climates, act as indicators of air pollution, and disperse via small clusters called soredia

ascocarp

asci covering; fruiting body structure that will produce asci

Asci

spore-producing cell found at the ends of hyphae in Ascomycota; located within a ascocarp

Penicillium

"incomplete fungi" while they're ascomycota, they do not have a sexual reproductive phase. asexual stage!

Basidiomycota

a monophyletic group of terrestrial fungi that includes mushrooms, bracket fungi, stinkhorns, and puffballs. During sexual reproduction, they form airborne spores in structures called basidia. Some can degrade wood. Others form ectomycorrhizae with certain trees.

Basidia

club shaped structures in basidiomycota where sexual spores are produced

Lignin

complex polymer found in the secondary cell walls of some plants; it is exceptionally stiff and strong. Most abundant in woody plant parts.

Destroying angel

common name for amanita virosa, a highly toxic mushroom from basidiomycota that can stop heart rate almost immediately

Ustilago maydis

fungus that causes common smut disease of maize

Ergot disease

fungal disease that replaces grains with sclerotia containing toxins from which LSD is derived

Mycorrihizae

(fungus root) mutualistic association between certain fungi and the roots of most vascular plants; provide minerals for plants

ectomycorrhizae (ECM)

form a dense sheath around tree roots and external hyphae between root cells

Yeasts

single-celled fungi that reproduce asexually by budding

Conidial Fungi

fungi for which only an asexual stage is known (such as Aspergilius and Penicilium)