Amoebozoa and Fungi

spores

haploid cells that can undergo mitosis to form multicellular, haploid individuals

mycorrhizae

symbiotic structures between roots of plant and underground portion of a fungi; allows fungus and plant to exchange nutrients and water

mycology

scientific study of fungus

chitin

gives structural strength to the cell walls of fungi; key component of fungi cell walls

hyphae

fungal filament composed of one or more cells, large surface area-volume ratio that has a high capacity for nutrient extraction (more efficient than plant roots)

mycellium

a mass of hyphae

septa

cross walls that divide fungal hyphae into separate cells, contain pores that allow materials to be passed between compartments

coenocytic hyphae

hyphae that are formed by large cells containing any nuclei, do not have septa

exoenzyme

\-are released into the environment

\-break down insoluble compounds, such as the cellulose and lignin of dead wood, into readily absorbable glucose molecules

saprobes (saprophytes)

organisms that derive nutrients from decaying organic matter

mycorrhiza

the fungal partner of a mutualistic association between vascular plant roots and their symbiotic fungi

heterotrophic

require a source of food, ingesting other living or dead organisms

lichen

close association of a fungus with a photosynthetic alga or bacterium that benefits both partners

amoeboid motion

sliding movement initiated by extension of pseudopodia with the rest of the cell following

closest extant relatives of animals

choanoflagellates

mycosis

fungal infection in humans