Biological Systems - Fungi Module

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to fungi, including their characteristics, reproductive strategies, ecological roles, and significance to humans.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms that primarily have a cell wall made of chitin and absorb nutrients through their environment.

Heterotrophs

Organisms that cannot make their own food and must absorb nutrients from their environment.

Mycelium

A mass of hyphae that forms the main body of a fungus.

Hyphae

Filamentous structures that make up the body of a fungus, which are involved in nutrient absorption and reproduction.

Spores

Reproductive cells produced by fungi, which can be dispersed and germinate into new fungal individuals.

Plasmogamy

The fusion of cytoplasm from two fungal cells, leading to a dikaryotic stage in fungal reproduction.

Karyogamy

The fusion of nuclei from two cells after plasmogamy, resulting in a diploid cell.

Ascomycota

Phylum of fungi known as sac fungi, characterized by having spores produced in sac-like structures called asci.

Basidiomycota

Phylum of fungi known as club fungi, characterized by having a basidium for spore production.

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic associations between fungi and plant roots that enhance nutrient and water uptake for plants.

Lichens

Symbiotic associations between fungi and algae or cyanobacteria, which create a new organism that thrives in harsh environments.

Zygomycota

Phylum of fungi characterized by their production of zygosporangium and high diversity in life histories.

Chytridiomycota

Phylum of fungi known as chytrids, characterized by their flagellated spores called zoospores.

Decomposers

Organisms, including fungi, that break down organic material, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Ectomycorrhizae

A type of mycorrhizal association where fungal hyphae encircle but do not penetrate plant root cells.

Endomycorrhizae

A type of mycorrhizal association where fungal hyphae penetrate the plant cell walls.

Mutualism

A symbiotic relationship where both organisms benefit from the association.

Pathogens

Organisms that cause disease; in the context of fungi, these include species that infect plants or animals.

Diversity food sources related to diversity of ecological roles

Decomposers, parasites, predators, mutalists

Decomposers

Absorb nutrients from dead organic material

Parasites

Absorb nutrients from the cells of living hosts

Predators

Trap animals and digest them

Mutualists

Absorb nutrients from a host, but reciprocate with actions that benefit the host

Predatory fungi

Fungi that obtain nutrients by trapping and digesting organisms, including insects and nematodes.

Fungi reproduce by…

Producing spores that can develop into new organisms.

Fungi can produce spores…

Sexually or asexually

Asexual - Pores

Spores produced by mitosis

Phylogen

Spores produced by meiosis

Phylum chrytridiomycota

Chytrids have flagellated spores called zoospores but are true fungi

Phylum zygomycota

This phylum includes fungi that reproduce sexually through zygospores and typically have a coenocytic hyphal structure.

Phylum glomeromycota

This phylum consists of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi that form symbiotic relationships with plant roots, facilitating nutrient exchange.

Mycorrhiza

Fungal hyphae colonise plant roots

Arbuscular mycorrhiza

Hyphae reach inside the plant cell

Phylum ascomycota

This phylum includes fungi that produce spores in sac-like structures called asci, including yeast and truffles.

Varied clade

• Variety of habitats

  • Unicellular yeasts to complex multicellular fungi

Phylum basidiomycota

This phylum includes fungi that produce spores on club-shaped structures called basidia, including mushrooms and puffballs.

Name

Generalised life cycle

Name

Life cycle of bread mold

Name

Life cycle of an ascomycete

Name

Life cycle of a basidiomycete

Five fungi phyla

Chytridiomycota, zygomycota, glomeromycota, ascomycota, basidiomycota.

Chytridiomycota

A phylum of fungi characterized by the formation of zygospores during sexual reproduction, typically including molds like Rhizopus.

Zygmycota

A phylum of fungi known for their asexual reproduction through the production of spores in sporangia, which includes species like Rhizopus.

Glomeromycota

A phylum of fungi that form mutualistic associations with the roots of plants, known as arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which enhance nutrient uptake for the plants.

Ascomycota

A phylum of fungi characterized by the production of ascospores in sac-like structures called asci, which includes yeasts and molds like Penicillium.

Basidiomycota

A phylum of fungi known for producing basidiospores on club-shaped structures called basidia, which includes mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungi.

Roles fungi play in nutrient cycling

Decomposers, mutualists, pathogens

Decomposers - fungi role

Fungi that break down dead organic matter, recycling nutrients back into the ecosystem.

Pathogens - fungi role

Fungi that cause diseases in plants, animals, or humans, often leading to detrimental effects on health and agriculture.

Mutualists - fungi role

Fungi that form beneficial relationships with other organisms, such as plants, aiding in nutrient absorption and enhancing growth.

Fungi secrete…

Enzymes that can break down almost any carbon-containing substrate

Without decomposers…

Life as we know it would go for one last round and then would cease to exist

Myccorhizae

Symbiosis between plant and fungi that dramatically increases water and nutrient supply for plant in exchange for sugars from plant for fungiE

Ectomycorrhizae

Outside root cellsE

Endomycorrhizae

Inside root cells

Some fungi share…

Digestive services with animals, helping break down plant material in the guts of cows and other grazing mammals

Lichen

Highly integrated symbiotic association of algal with fungal hyphae

What does protist provide

C and N compoundsWHa

What does fungus provide

Moise environment and minerals

Name

Lichen life cycle

About 30% of known fungal species are…

Parasites or pathogens, mostly on or in plants

Mycosis

Infection by fungal parasite

Beneficial human use of fungi

Medicine, research and bioremediation