fungi

Decomposers

Organisms that break down organic materials and release nutrients back into the environment.

Parasites

Organisms that are detrimental to their host or other organisms.

Mutualists

Organisms that benefit from and may depend on a host or other organism.

Yeast

Single-celled fungi that reproduce via budding.

Hyphae

Filaments that form the structure of fungi.

Mycelia

An underground network of hyphae.

Septa

Cross-walls that divide hyphae into cells.

Coenocytic fungi

Fungi that lack septa and have a continuous mass with hundreds of nuclei.

Haustoria

Structures that allow fungi to extract nutrients from plants.

Arbuscles

Branching structures in mutualistic fungi that exchange nutrients with host plants.

Mycorrhizae

Mutualistic fungi that form associations with plant roots and disperse via spores.

Ectomycorrhizal fungi

Fungi that are established between root cells.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

Fungi that extend into root cells of plants.

Spores

Reproductive units capable of producing a mature adult without fusion of gametes.

Plasmogamy

The union of the cytoplasm of two parent mycelia.

Heterokaryon

A stage in which haploid nuclei coexist in the fused part of mycelium.

Dikaryotic

A stage in fungi where haploid nuclei pair off (two to a cell).

Karyogamy

The fusion of dikaryotic nuclei to form a diploid nucleus.

Phylum Chytridiomycota

Includes chytrids that may be decomposers, mutualists, or parasites and have zoospores.

Phylum Zygomycota

Known for fast-growing molds; zygosporangium is the site of karyogamy.

Phylum Glomeromycota

Includes arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, which are essential for about 90% of plant species.

Phylum Ascomycota

Characterized by sac-like structures called asci, they include yeast and molds.

Phylum Basidiomycota

Includes club fungi known for producing fruiting bodies and decomposing wood.