Biology - Fungi

Hypha

a tube or filament in a fungus

Mycelium

a (usually) visible mass of hyphae

Features of Fungi

• are eukaryotic

• reproduce by spores

• are heterotrophic

• have cell walls made of chitin

• consist of hyphae, forming a mycelium

Obligate Parasite

can only take its food from a live host

Facultative Parasite

can get its food from a live or dead host

Rhizopus

common bread mould

Stolon

an aerial hypha which allows the fungus to spread more rapidly

Rhizoids

hyphae that grow into the substrate and provide extra surface area for absorption

Sporulation

the process of making spores

Sporangiophores

hyphae that grow up from the surface of the substrate during asexual reproduction

Sporangium

the tip of the sporangiophore that swells, its contents divide by mitosis to form numerous spores

(each spore has at least one haploid nucleus)

Columella

the base wall of the sporangium

Apophysis

the columella surrounds a swollen area

Sexual Reproduction in Rhizopus

1. two hyphae grow close together

2. progametangia form

3. fertilisation occurs

4. zygospore forms

5. germinates when conditions are suitable

Yeast

• a single-celled fungus

• respires anaerobically to form ethanol and carbon dioxide

Budding

the method by which yeast reproduces asexually

Economic Benefits of Fungi

• yeasts produce alcohol

• mushrooms are edible

Economic Disadvantages of Fungi

• destroy food, crops and a wide range of other materials

• cause diseases in humans, animals and plants

  e.g. athlete’s foot and ringworm

Asepsis

measures are taken to exclude unwanted microorganisms

Sterile

all microorganisms are destroyed