Mycology - Fungus Among Us

molds

A mold or mould is a fungus that grows in the form of multicellular filaments called hyphae. In contrast, fungi that can adopt a single-celled growth habit are called yeasts.

Yeasts

Unicellular fungi whose colonies resemble those of bacteria. They are larger than bacteria

mycology

the branch of botany that studies fungi and fungus-caused diseases

saprophytic

living on dead or decaying organic matter

hyphae

the thread-like filaments that make up a fungus

chitin

complex carbohydrate that makes up the cell walls of fungi; also found in the external skeletons of arthropods

mycelium

The densely branched network of hyphae in a fungus

septaete - aseptaete

the cells that make up hyphae are divided by these cross sections; no dividers in hyphae

coenocytes

fungal species that have hyphae lacking septa

dimorphism

the ability of of some fungi to exist in two forms, depending in general on the temperature and availability of nutrients

sporangiophores

specialized hyphae that look like upright stalks.

sporangium

a specialized sac, case, or capsule, or other structure found on top of the sporangiophore that produces spores.

sporangiospores

spores made inside each sporangium

conida

Fungi formed without protection of a sac

conidiophore

a type of hypha that bears asexual spores called conidia

fragmentation

a type of asexual reproduction where a septate hypha dries and shatters, releasing individual cells that act as spores

budding

asexual reproduction in which a part of the parent organism pinches off and forms a new organism

Zygomycota

division of fungi having sexually produced zygospores; includes bread mold

Basidiomycota

club fungi that form basidiospores on club shaped structures called basidia: mushrooms, puffballs, bracket fungi, rusts, smuts

Ascomycota

Division of fungi that reproduce sexually by forming Ascospores within sacs (Asci); Many are Saprobes; most food spoilage is due to fungi in this group; includes yeasts, morels, truffles

rhizoids

the hyphae that anchor the fungus in the bread and penetrate the surface of the bread

stolons

Stem-like hyphae that grows along the surface of the food source

gametangium

a sexual reproductive structure that contains a nucleus of a mating type

zygosporangium

a thick-walled structure formed by fused gametangia that contains many diploid cells

basida

club-shaped reproductive structure in club fungi

basidiocarp

above ground spore-bearing structure of basidiomycetes

stalk

stem portion of a mushroom

cap

a fruiting structure resembling an umbrella that forms the top of a stalked fleshy fungus such as a mushroom

basidiospores

spore in basidiomycetes that germinates to produce haploid primary mycelia

ascogonium

the female reproductive sexual organ or cell in the Phylum Ascomycete

ascocarp

a visible cuplike structure found in organisms of the phylum Ascomycota

asci

sacs in ascomycetes within the ascocarp that develop at the tips of the dikaryotic hyphae

ascospores

haploid spore produced within the ascus of ascomycetes

Saccharomyce cerevisiae

type of yeast commonly used to make bread, wine, and ethanol from the phylum Ascomyceta; also used in genetic research to develop vaccines

Deuteromycota

Phylum of the imperfect fungi (most scientists have reclassified these into phylum Ascomycets

mycorrhiza

a symbiotic association between fungi and plant roots

Lichens

symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic organism

Crustose

Type of lichen that grows as a layer on the surface of rocks and trees

Fruticose

Type of lichen that is shrub-like

Foliose

Type of lichens that live on flat surfaces, where they form a matlike growth

athlete's foot

contagious fungal infection in the outer skin layer that leads to skin eruptions which usually form small blisters between toes and sometimes fingers, followed by cracking, peeling and scaling

Ringworm

highly contagious fungal infection marked by raised, itchy, circular patches with crust

Candidiasis

yeast infections occurring on the skin or mucous membranes in the warm, moist areas such as the vagina or the mouth often caused by the fungus Candida

Tinea cruris

fungal infection of the groin (most common in men); often called "jock itch"

Histoplasmosis

a disease that results from the inhalation of an airborne fungus (often from bird or bat droppings) that can affect the lungs (usually presents as pneumonia) and may spread to other organs

aflatoxins

poisons produced by some species of Aspergillus that can contaminate corn, peanuts, cottonseed, and tree nuts causing liver cancer

penicillin

any of various antibiotics obtained from penicillium molds (or produced synthetically) and used in the treatment of various infections and diseases

Rhizopus

any of various rot-causing fungi of the genus Rhizopus including black bread mold and an organic source of cortizone

truffles

A strong-smelling underground fungus that resembles an irregular, rough-skinned potato, growing chiefly near the roots of broad-leaf plants. They are a culinary delicacy.

Morels

A widely distributed edible fungus that has a brown oval or pointed fruiting body with an irregular honeycombed surface bearing the spores.