Fungi Lecture Notes - Vocabulary Flashcards

A comprehensive set of vocabulary-style flashcards covering fungal biology, ecology, taxonomy, symbioses, pathogenesis, and important applications mentioned in the notes.

Fungi

Heterotrophic organisms with cell walls made of chitin that absorb nutrients by secreting enzymes; non-vascular and include molds, yeasts, and mushrooms.

Chitin

A tough polysaccharide in fungal cell walls that provides rigidity and strength.

Hyphae

Thread-like filaments that compose the body of fungi; can be septate or coenocytic.

Mycelium

The network of hyphae forming the vegetative body of a fungus.

Spores

Reproductive units for dispersal and survival; can be haploid or diploid depending on type.

Chlamydospore

Asexual, survival spore formed by thickening of a hyphal compartment.

Conidiospore (Conidium)

Asexual spore produced at the tip of a hypha (conidiophore); not enclosed in a sac.

Zygospore

Diploid spore formed within a zygosporangium during sexual reproduction (Zygomycota).

Ascospore

Sexual spore produced in an ascus (sac) within Ascomycota.

Basidiospore

Sexual spore produced on a basidium during Basidiomycota reproduction.

Zygomycota

Moulds with coenocytic hyphae; form dikaryotic zygosporangia during sexual reproduction.

Basidiomycota

Club fungi; produce basidiospores on basidia; septate hyphae; include mushrooms and related forms.

Ascomycota

Sac fungi; produce ascospores in asci; septate hyphae; includes many yeasts such as Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Yeast

Unicellular fungi; reproduce by budding or fission; some form pseudohyphae; reproduce sexually via asco- or basidio-spores.

Asexual cycle

Reproduction without genetic recombination (no mixing of genetic material).

Sexual cycle

Reproduction involving genetic recombination and formation of spores through meiosis.

Dikaryotic

Stage with two distinct nuclei per cell (n+n) before karyogamy, typical in certain fungal life cycles.

Septate

Hyphae divided into individual cells by cross-walls (septa); contrasts with coenocytic hyphae.

Zygosporangium

Structure in which the zygospore forms in Zygomycota; associated with dikaryotic hyphal growth.

Basidium

Club-shaped reproductive structure in Basidiomycota that bears basidiospores.

Ascus

Sac-like container in Ascomycota containing ascospores (typically eight per ascus).

Haustorium

Specialized structure that penetrates plant cell walls to access nutrients in endomycorrhiza.

Ectomycorrhiza

Type of mycorrhizal association where fungus envelops root tips but does not penetrate plant cells.

Endomycorrhiza (Arbuscular mycorrhiza)

Type of mycorrhiza where fungal hyphae penetrate plant root cells; widespread among crops.

Mycorrhiza

Symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots; mutualistic nutrient exchange.

Lichens

Symbiosis between fungi and photosynthetic partners (green algae or cyanobacteria); fungus provides habitat and protection, partner provides nutrients.

Decomposers

Fungi that recycle nutrients by breaking down dead organic material via secreted enzymes.

Lignin-degrading enzymes

Fungal enzymes (e.g., peroxidases) that break down lignin in wood, aiding decomposition.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Baker’s/brewer’s yeast; widely used in baking, brewing, and wine; model organism with a fully sequenced genome.

Aspergillus oryzae

Fungus used in fermentation of soy sauce, bean pastes, and related foods.

Penicillium camemberti

Fungus used on the surface of Camembert cheese; forms rind.

Penicillium roqueforti

Fungus used to make blue cheeses; creates blue-green veins through the cheese.

Botrytis cinerea

Noble/grey rot of grapes; can be exploited for dessert wines; causes mold on fruit.

Ergotism

Illness caused by ergot alkaloids from Claviceps purpurea, affecting nervous and vascular systems.

Rusts

Fungal pathogens often with two-host life cycles that cause crop disease.

Smuts

Fungal pathogens; often with complex life cycles; significant crop pathogens.

Dutch elm disease

Fungal disease of elms; blocks xylem, causing wilting and death; spreads via conidia.

Brown rot

Rot that degrades cellulose/hemicellulose leaving brown lignin-rich residues.

White rot

Rot that degrades lignin, leaving white, cellulose-rich tissue.

Candidiasis

Infection by Candida species (e.g., Candida albicans); dimorphic; often antifungal-responsive.

Dermatophytosis (tinea)

Skin, hair, or nail infections caused by dermatophyte fungi such as Trichophyton, Microsporum, Epidermophyton.

Aspergillosis

Infection caused by inhalation of Aspergillus spores; can affect lungs, sinuses, and blood; treated with antifungals.

Cryptococcosis

Infection by Cryptococcus spp.; inhaled spores; can spread to lungs and CNS causing meningitis.

Microsporidia

Phylum of obligate intracellular parasites; single-celled eukaryotes lacking mitochondria; small genome and spores.

Meront

Intracellular reproductive stage of microsporidia.

Sporoplasm

Spore content injected into host cell during microsporidia infection.

Polar filament

Fueled by osmotic pressure to pierce host cell and inject sporoplasm.

Life cycle triggers

Environmental cues (e.g., osmotic pressure) that trigger germination and infection stages.

Host range

Spectrum of hosts that a microsporidian or other fungus can infect.

Mycoremediation

Use of fungi to degrade environmental pollutants, including heavy metals and organics.

Proteases

Fungal enzymes that hydrolyze proteins; widely used in food, leather, and detergents.

Cellulases

Enzymes that break down cellulose; important in textile, paper, brewing and food industries.

Xylanases

Enzymes that degrade xylan in plant cell walls; used in food and agriculture.

Lipases

Enzymes that hydrolyze lipids; used in biofuels and various industries.

Amylases

Enzymes that digest starch; used in food processing and biofuels.

Phytases

Enzymes that release phosphate from phytic acid; improve digestibility of animal feed.

Statins

Fungal-derived compounds (e.g., from Penicillium, Aspergillus, Monascus) that inhibit sterol synthesis; cholesterol-lowering drugs.

SGS (Saccharomyces Genome Database)

Comprehensive genome database for Saccharomyces cerevisiae gene function, pathways, and literature.