Fungi Lecture Notes

Flashcards covering the basics of fungi, their cellular structure, reproduction, ecological roles (decomposers, symbionts), parasitic forms, human health implications, and beneficial uses, based on lecture notes.

Fungi

More closely related to animals than plants, sharing genetics, evolutionary history, and feeding behavior.

Fungal Cell Wall

Made up of chitin, a carbohydrate also found in insect exoskeletons, unlike plant cell walls made of cellulose.

Chitin

A carbohydrate that forms the cell walls of fungi and the exoskeletons of insects.

Fungal Metabolism

Heterotrophs that digest food outside their body; they do not photosynthesize and lack chloroplasts.

Yeasts

The exception among fungi that are mostly multicellular, as yeasts are unicellular.

Hyphae

Many thin strings or threads that make up the body of multicellular fungi.

Mycelium

The collective network of all hyphae in a fungus, often found underground or inside a substrate.

Mushroom

The temporary reproductive structure or 'fruiting body' of a fungus, specialized for spore production.

Decomposers

Fungi that obtain energy by digesting dead organic material.

Symbionts

Fungi that obtain energy from living organisms through a close interaction called symbiosis.

Spores

Cells associated with the reproductive cycles of fungi, dispersed in air or water, that can germinate to grow into a new organism.

Asexual Fungal Reproduction

Occurs when a piece of hyphae breaks off and grows to form a new mycelium.

Sexual Fungal Reproduction

Occurs through the fusion of hyphae.

Largest Organism on Earth

The yellow honey mushroom fungus in Malheur National Forest, which can cover large areas.

Symbiosis

A close interaction between two organisms, which can be mutually beneficial or beneficial to only one.

Mycorrhizae

Fungi that form close associations with plant roots, helping plants absorb water and minerals while receiving sugars in return.

Garlic Mustard

An invasive plant that excretes compounds interfering with the mycorrhizae of native plants.

Lichens

Symbiotic relationships between fungi and photosynthetic algae, where fungi provide water/nutrients and algae provide nutrients for the fungus.

Cordyceps Fungus

A parasitic fungus that typically infects insects, altering their behavior to help spread its spores.

Candidiasis

A fungal infection caused by Candida yeast, which can lead to conditions like vaginal candidiasis, oral candidiasis (thrush), or invasive candidiasis.

Ringworm

An itchy rash on the skin caused by the fungus tinea.

Athlete's Foot

A type of ringworm caused by the tinea fungus, commonly found in dark, moist environments on the feet.

Fungal Nail Infections

Infections that cause nails to become discolored and thick, often spread in public showers.

Opportunistic Fungal Infections

Fungal infections that typically affect individuals with weakened immune systems, such as oral thrush in HIV patients.

Penicillin

An antibiotic extracted from a fungus, discovered accidentally by Alexander Fleming, which inhibits bacterial growth.

Human Microbiome Fungi

Beneficial fungi in the human gut that help regulate bacterial growth.