Fungi Study Guide: Structure, Reproduction, and Types

Hyphae

Thread-like filaments forming the body of fungi.

Mycelium

A mass of hyphae, responsible for nutrient absorption.

Cell Wall Composition

Primarily made of chitin.

Monokaryotic

One nucleus per cell.

Dikaryotic

Two nuclei per cell.

Homokaryotic

Genetically similar nuclei.

Heterokaryotic

Genetically different nuclei.

Asexual Reproduction

Spores (conidia) produced through mitosis.

Sexual Reproduction

Fusion of hyphae leads to karyogamy (fusion of nuclei), forming spores through meiosis.

Heterotrophic

Nutritional mode by absorption.

Zoospore

Motile spore with flagella.

Spore

Non-motile reproductive unit.

Microsporidia

Previously thought to be protists.

Chytridiomycota

Unique Feature: Flagellated spores (zoospores).

Blastocladiomycota

Haplodiplonic Life Cycle: Alternates between haploid and diploid stages.

Neocallimastigomycota

Found in herbivorous animals' guts (e.g., ruminants).

Zygomycota

Common Example: Rhizopus (bread mold).

Glomeromycota

Essential for land plant evolution.

Basidiomycota

Examples: Mushrooms, puffballs, rusts.

Ascomycota

Examples: Yeasts, molds, truffles, morels.

Endophytic Fungi

Live inside plants, providing protection from pathogens.

Lichens

Symbiotic relationship between fungi (mostly Ascomycota) and photosynthetic organisms.

Mycorrhizae

Arbuscular Mycorrhizae: Penetrate plant roots; associated with Glomeromycota.