FUNGI

Fungi

Eukaryotic, spore-bearing organisms like yeast, molds, and mushrooms that absorb simple organic compounds.

Mycology

The study of fungi.

Mycoses

Diseases caused by fungi.

Hyphae

Tubular, elongated filamentous structures of fungi.

Septate fungi

Fungi with hyphae divided by cross walls (septa).

Conidia

Asexual spores found at the tip of hyphae.

Sexual spores

Include: Ascospores, Zygospores, Basidiospores.

Chytridiomycota

(chytrids) a primitive division of fungi that live in water and produce gametes with flagella.

Zygomycota

Phylum of common molds.

Rhizopus stolonifer

Black bread mold

Pilobolus spp.

Known for ejecting spores into the air.

Penicillium

Source of penicillin

Agaricus spp.

Common edible mushroom.

Cryptococcus neoformans

Causes respiratory illness and meningitis.

Deuteromycota

Imperfect fungi.

Trichophyton spp.

Cause athlete's foot and ringworm.

Aspergillus niger

Common food contaminant

Ciclosporin

Immunosuppressant from fungi used in transplant surgery.

Fusidic acid

Antibiotic used against Staphylococcus aureus.

Agaricus subrufescens, Ganoderma lucidum, Ophiocordyceps sinensis

Used in traditional medicine.

Lentinula edodes (Shiitake)

Produces lentinan, a cancer drug.

Pleurotus ostreatus

Oyster mushroom.

Superficial mycoses

Fungal infections affecting outer skin layers.

Cutaneous mycoses

Fungal disease that affects hair, skin, and nails.

Microsporum spp., Trichophyton spp., Epidermophyton spp.

Cause infections of skin, hair, nails

Sporothrix schenckii

Causes sporotrichosis

Systemic mycoses

Fungal infections affecting internal organs.

Blastomyces dermatitidis

Causes blastomycosis.