Fungal Diversity

Fungal Reproduction

Alternates between sexual and asexual forms.

Spores

Reproductive units carried by wind or water that germinate to form new mycelia.

Asexual Reproduction in Fungi

Molds produce haploid spores by mitosis.

Yeast Reproduction

Asexual reproduction without spores, via simple mitosis or pinching of bud cells.

Benefit of Asexual Reproduction

Independent reproduction without the need for another organism.

Cost of Asexual Reproduction

No genetic variation.

Benefit of Sexual Reproduction

Genetic variation.

Cost of Sexual Reproduction

Requires another organism.

Fungal Sexual Reproduction Process

Involves the fusion of hyphae from different mating types.

Plasmogamy

First step in sexual reproduction, union of cytoplasm from two parent mycelia.

Heterokaryon

Mycelium with multiple coexisting genetically different nuclei.

Dikaryotic

Cell containing two nuclei, one from each parent.

Karyogamy

Second step of sexual reproduction, fusion of nuclei after the heterokaryotic stage.

Zygote in Fungi

Produced after karyogamy and undergoes meiosis to make haploid spores.

Chytrids

Fungal phyla characterized by the presence of zoospores.

Zoosporangium

Durable structure protecting the zygote in Zoopagomycota.

Ascomycetes

Fungal phyla with septate hyphae that produce ascocarps during the sexual stage.

Asexual Reproduction in Ascomycetes

Occurs through asexual spores called conidia produced at tips of conidiophores.

Basidiomycota

Fungal phyla producing mushrooms and characterized by long-lived dikaryotic mycelium.

Saprothrophic Fungi

Fungi that break down and digest decayed organic matter.

Parasitic Fungi

Fungi that absorb nutrients from living hosts.

Mutualistic Fungi

Fungi that benefit the host while absorbing nutrients.

Lichens

Symbiotic associations between photosynthetic organisms and fungi.

Lichens Reproduction

Asexually with fragmentation or formation of soredia.

Soredia

Small clusters of hyphae with embedded algae.

Practical Uses of Fungi

Includes cheese, alcohol, soy sauce, and penicillin.

Septa

Structures with pores allowing organelles and cytoplasm to pass.

Mycelium

A network of multiple hyphae, typically underground.

Hypha

Filamentous structure that makes up fungi.

Coenocytic Hyphae

Hyphae organized into a reproductive fruiting structure.

Basidiocarp

The fruiting body of Basidiomycota.