Fungi Diversity

What defines the Kingdom Fungi within the Supergroup Unikonta?

Kingdom Fungi is a monophyletic clade within the Subgroup Opisthokonta.

What is the main component of fungal cell walls?

Chitin.

How do fungi obtain their nutrition?

Through saprotrophic nutrition, which involves external digestion.

What type of reproduction can fungi undergo?

Fungi can utilize both sexual and asexual reproduction.

What is saprotrophic nutrition?

A process of chemoheterotrophic extracellular digestion involved in the processing of decayed organic matter.

What is a sporangium?

An enclosure in which spores are formed.

What do gametangia develop into during the sexual reproduction of Zygomycota?

A zygosporangium.

What type of spores do ascomycetes produce during asexual reproduction?

Conidiospores.

What is an ascocarp in the life cycle of ascomycetes?

The fruiting body (sporocarp) of an ascomycete fungus.

What type of reproduction does the Basidiomycota perform?

Only sexual reproduction occurs.

What is a basidiocarp?

The fruiting body of a basidiomycete.

What is the primary role of mycorrhizae?

To deliver water and nutrients to plants while receiving sugars in return.

What is a well-known fungal parasite that affects cereal crops?

Ergot.

What role do fungi play in ecosystems?

Fungi are critical decomposers that return nutrients from decaying organic matter to soils and aquatic environments.

What are the forms of lichens?

Fruticose, foliose, and crustose.

What significant climate role do mycorrhizal fungi provide to plants?

They provide a larger network for water and nutrient delivery under stressful conditions.

What negative impact can fungi have on agriculture?

Fungi can cause loss of crops and food rot.