Fungi Kingdom – Vocabulary Review

A comprehensive set of vocabulary flashcards covering fungal biology, structures, divisions, symbioses, and medically important species discussed in the lecture.

Fungi

Eukaryotic organisms in the kingdom Fungi that feed as saprophytes or parasites and reproduce by spores or budding.

Mycosis

Any disease or infection caused by a fungus.

Saprophyte

Organism that obtains nutrients from dead organic matter; fungi are major saprophytic recyclers.

Hypha (plural: Hyphae)

Long, branching filament of a fungus that performs vegetative growth and nutrient absorption.

Septate Hyphae

Hyphae divided by cross-walls (septa) containing pores for cytoplasmic flow.

Coenocytic Hyphae

Non-septate, continuous multinucleate hyphae lacking cross-walls.

Pseudohyphae

Yeast cells that remain attached after budding, resembling hyphae but lacking pores.

Mycelium

Cotton-like mass of interwoven hyphae that forms the body of a fungus.

Sporangiophore

Specialized hyphal stalk that bears sporangia containing sporangiospores.

Conidiophore

Specialized hyphal stalk that produces conidiospores (conidia).

Sporangiospore

Asexual spore formed inside a sporangium on a sporangiophore.

Conidiospore (Conidium)

Asexual spore formed externally on a conidiophore.

Chitin

Tough, nitrogen-containing polysaccharide forming the main component of fungal cell walls.

Mannoproteins

Glycoproteins embedded in fungal cell walls alongside chitin and β-glucans.

β-Glucans

Glucose polymers contributing to strength and flexibility of fungal cell walls.

Lichen

Mutualistic composite of fungus (mycobiont) and photosynthetic partner (alga/cyanobacterium).

Photobiont

Photosynthetic partner in a lichen that supplies carbohydrates to the fungus.

Mycobiont

Fungal partner in a lichen that provides water, minerals and shelter.

Mycorrhiza

Symbiotic association between fungal hyphae and plant roots for nutrient exchange.

Chytridiomycota

Division of water-dwelling fungi characterized by motile zoospores with posterior flagella.

Zoospore

Flagellated motile spore unique to chytrids; requires water for dispersal.

Zygomycota

Division of fungi that form resistant sexual structures called zygosporangia.

Rhizopus stolonifer

Common black bread mold of Zygomycota producing black sporangia and zygosporangia.

Zygosporangium

Thick-walled, dormant sexual spore structure of Zygomycota fungi.

Pilobolus crystallinus

"Shotgun" dung fungus that forcibly shoots sporangia toward light to reach new herbivore dung.

Ascomycota

Largest fungal division producing sexual spores (ascospores) inside asci.

Ascus

Sac-like cell of Ascomycota where meiosis forms typically eight ascospores.

Ascospore

Sexual spore produced inside an ascus of Ascomycota fungi.

Morel

Edible ascomycete with honeycomb cap borne on a stalk.

Truffle

Subterranean, round ascomycete fruiting body prized as a gourmet food.

Cup Fungus

Ascomycete with cup-shaped ascocarp bearing asci on its surface.

Yeast

Unicellular fungi (often Ascomycota) that reproduce by budding and can form pseudohyphae.

Budding

Asexual reproduction method where a small daughter cell forms from a parent yeast cell.

Aspergillus flavus

Ascomycete mold that contaminates crops and produces carcinogenic aflatoxin.

Aflatoxin

Potent mycotoxin from Aspergillus species causing liver damage and cancer.

Aspergillus fumigatus

Airborne opportunistic mold causing aspergillosis, especially in immunocompromised hosts.

Aspergillosis

Disease spectrum from allergic reactions to invasive lung and systemic infections by Aspergillus spp.

Arthrobotrys conoides

Predatory fungus that forms hyphal loops to trap and consume nematodes.

Stachybotrys chartarum

Toxic "black mold" producing mycotoxins on water-damaged cellulose materials; harms indoor air quality.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Dimorphic ascomycete causing systemic blastomycosis beginning with pneumonia-like infection.

Histoplasma capsulatum

Dimorphic fungus inhaled from bird/bat droppings; causes histoplasmosis.

Histoplasmosis

Respiratory and systemic disease often affecting AIDS patients after inhalation of H. capsulatum spores.

Candida albicans

Opportunistic yeast of normal flora that can cause candidiasis when overgrown.

Candidiasis

Infection (e.g., thrush, vaginitis) produced by overgrowth or invasion of Candida species.

Tinea

Group of superficial skin mycoses (ringworm, athlete’s foot, jock itch) caused by Ascomycota fungi.

Ringworm (Tinea corporis)

Circular, scaly skin infection by dermatophyte fungi; not caused by worms.

Athlete’s Foot (Tinea pedis)

Dermatophyte infection of the feet thriving in moist environments.

Jock Itch (Tinea cruris)

Fungal infection of groin area producing itching and rash.

Pseudallescheria boydii

Opportunistic mold causing chronic, tumor-like infections and pulmonary fungus balls.

Coccidioides immitis

Soil fungus whose arthrospores cause coccidioidomycosis (Valley fever) when inhaled.

Basidiomycota

Division producing sexual basidiospores on club-shaped basidia; includes mushrooms and puffballs.

Basidium

Club-shaped cell of Basidiomycota that externally bears basidiospores.

Basidiospore

Sexual spore formed on a basidium of Basidiomycota fungi.

Mushroom

Basidiomycete fruiting body with cap, gills and stalk that produces basidiospores.

Puffball

Basidiomycete with round fruiting body that releases spore clouds when ruptured.

Bracket Fungus

Shelf-like basidiomycete growing on wood; hyphae decay trees or logs.

Amanita muscaria

Bright red, hallucinogenic mushroom with white spots; contains toxic compounds.

Amanita phalloides

"Death cap" mushroom producing lethal amatoxins that damage the liver.

Cryptococcus neoformans

Encapsulated basidiomycete yeast causing cryptococcosis and meningitis in immunosuppressed people.

Cryptococcosis

Pulmonary or meningeal infection resulting from inhalation of C. neoformans spores.