lecture 5

Flashcards covering key vocabulary, characteristics, modes of nutrition, symbiotic relationships, diseases, and reproductive structures of Kingdom Fungi based on lecture notes.

Kingdom Fungi

A kingdom of eukaryotic organisms, often referred to as 'Soil Organisms', known for their heterotrophic nutrition.

Heterotrophs (Fungi)

Organisms that obtain nutrition by extracellular digestion and absorption of nutrients.

Decomposers (Saprobes)

Fungi that obtain nutrients from decaying organic matter, playing a vital role in nutrient cycling.

Parasites/Pathogens (Fungi)

Fungi that obtain nutrients from living organisms, often causing harm to their host (plants and animals).

Mutualists (Fungi)

Fungi that engage in symbiotic interactions where both species benefit from the relationship.

Predaceous Fungi

A specialized group of fungi that trap and kill small prey, such as nematodes, to obtain nutrients.

Mutualism

An interaction between two or more species in which all participating species benefit.

Lichens

A mutualistic association between a fungus (typically ascomycota or basidiomycota) and an alga or cyanobacterium.

Mycorrhizae

A mutualistic association between plant roots and fungi (zygo/asco/basidiomycota), enhancing nutrient absorption for the plant.

Ectomycorrhizae

A type of mycorrhiza where fungal hyphae grow around the plant root cells but do not penetrate them.

Endomycorrhizae

A type of mycorrhiza where fungal hyphae penetrate the plant root cell walls.

Commensalism

An interaction between two or more species where one benefits and the other is neither significantly harmed nor benefited.

Trichomycetes

An example of commensal fungi that live in the hindgut of arthropods (e.g., insects, millipedes, crustaceans).

Parasitism

An interaction between two or more species where one species (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host).

Corn Smut

A fungal disease caused by Ustilago maydis, commonly affecting corn plants.

Ergots

A fungal disease of rye and other cereals caused by genus Claviceps, producing lysergic acid.

Histoplasmosis

A fungal infection caused by Histoplasma capsulatum, primarily affecting the lungs and other tissues.

Mycotoxins

Toxic secondary metabolites produced by fungi, such as those from Aspergillus flavus found in stored cereals and peanuts.

Yeast (Commercial Use)

Unicellular fungi used in the fermentation of wine, beer, and for leavening breads.

Penicillium

A genus of fungi known for producing antibiotics.

Chitin

The main structural polysaccharide component of the cell walls of fungi.

Mycelium

The vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a network of thread-like structures called hyphae.

Thallus (Fungi)

Another term for the vegetative body of a fungus, often synonymous with mycelium.

Fruiting Body (Fungi)

The macroscopic, spore-producing reproductive structure of a fungus (e.g., a mushroom).

Yeast

The only unicellular form of fungi, in contrast to most multicellular fungi.

Hyphae

Long, slender filaments that make up the body (mycelium) of most multicellular fungi.

Septate Hyphae

Hyphae that are divided into individual cells by cross-walls called septa, each containing one or more nuclei and typically pores.

Coenocytic Hyphae (Non-septate)

Hyphae that lack septa, forming a continuous cytoplasmic mass containing many nuclei.

Haustorium

A specialized fungal hypha that penetrates the cells of a host plant to absorb nutrients.

Haploid (n) (Fungi)

Describes fungi cells or nuclei containing a single set of chromosomes, representing most of the organism's life cycle.

Heterokaryotic (n+n)

Describes a fungal condition where hyphae contain two or more genetically different haploid nuclei (unfused nuclei from different parents) within the same cell.

Dikaryon

A specific type of heterokaryotic state where each fungal cell possesses exactly two haploid nuclei.

Diploid (2n) (Fungi)

Describes nuclei resulting from the fusion of two haploid nuclei during the fungal life cycle.

Plasmogamy

The first step in fungal sexual reproduction, involving the fusion of the cytoplasm of two parent mycelia.

Karyogamy

The second step in fungal sexual reproduction, involving the fusion of the two haploid nuclei within the same cell, leading to a diploid zygote.