fungi notes

are fungi unicellular or multicellular?

are fungi unicellular or multicellular?

unicellular. they are made of a collection of hyphae and can only be built one cell at a time

what is mycelium?

the collections of hyphae cells

sclerotium

hardened mass of mycelium that generally serves as an overwintering stage

both the ___ and ___ are made of hyphae

mushrooms and mycelium

how do fungi get their food?

they are heterotrophs, so they get their food by consuming other organisms

how do saprophytes/saraprobes get their food?

by decomposing and feeding on decaying organisms or organic material

how do symbiont fungi get their food?

through mutually beneficial relationships with other organisms

symbiont

an organism that lives in symbiosis with another

how do parasitic fungi get their food?

they feed on the living tissue of a host, which causes it harm

fungi are heterotrophic by…

…absorption

components of absorption

• carbon taking from organic material

• hyphal tip releases enzymes that break down the substrate

• the products diffuse back into the hyphae

components of hyphae

• tubular

• grows from the tip

• hard cell wall made of chitin

• cross walls may form compartments

what is mycorrhizae?

the fungal roots of a fungus organism that have a symbiotic relationship with plants

what do plants and fungi receive from their symbiotic relationship through mycorrhizae

• plants receive minerals, water, and carbohydrates from the fungi

• fungi receive up to 80% of their nutrients and carbohydrates from plants

types of mycorrhizae

Zygomycota, Ascomycota, Basidiomycota

Zygomycota…

…invade cell roots

Ascomycota & Basidiomycota are…

…hyphae that invade the root but don’t penetrate cells

lichen

the product of a mutualistic relationship between fungi and algae. they have fungus-like structures but the algae provided food for the organism

main three types of lichen

crustose, foliose, fruticose

crustose lichen

lichen that forms flat crusty plates

foliose lichens

leafy-like appearance with lobed or branched structures

fruticose lichen

very finely branched, they hang from trees like beards or grow in shrub-like formations

what are spores?

the asexual product of mitosis or the sexual product in origin

what is the purpose of spores?

• allows the fungus to move to a new food source

• spores are extremely resistant to environmental factors and allow the organism to survive for long periods of time

• allows for the introduction of new genetic information

how do fungus reproduce?

by producing and spreading spores

where are spores formed?

directly on hyphae, inside of sporangia, and inside fruiting bodies(mushrooms)

where do fungi grow from?

they grow from their food source and ex

what are fungi’s cell walls made of?

their cell is made of chitin and cellulose

what macromolecules do fungi store their food as?

glycogen(sugar) and lipids(fat)

are fungi eukaryotes or prokaryotes?

eukaryotes

Chytridiomycota or “chytrids”

• simple fungi

• produces motile spores or zoospores

• Mostly saprobes and parasites in aquatic habitats

Zygomycota or “zygote fungi”

• reproduces asexually and sexually\

• rapid growers

Ascomycota or “sac fungi”

• reproduces sexually and asexually

Basidiomycota or “club fungi”

• reproduces mainly through asexual reproduction

beneficial effects of fungi

• decomposition

• used in biosynthetic factories to make alcohol, drugs, and acids

harmful effects of fungi

• animal, plant, and human diseases, including allergies

• toxins produced