Fungus Life sc11

Fungus

A group of organisms that includes yeasts, molds, and mushrooms.

Yeast

Single-celled fungi that can reproduce asexually by budding.

Chitin

A structural polysaccharide found in the cell walls of fungi.

Cellulose

A polysaccharide that is not found in fungal cell walls but is present in plant cell walls.

Hyphae

Thread-like structures that make up the body of a fungus.

Pseudo-hyphae

Chains of yeast cells that resemble hyphae but are not true hyphae.

Coenocytic hyphae

Hyphae without septa, containing many nuclei.

Septate hyphae

Hyphae with cross walls (septa) dividing the cells.

Mycelium

The mass of hyphae that forms the body of a fungus.

Chytrid

A type of fungus with flagellated spores (zoospores).

Flagellum

A whip-like structure that helps some fungi, like chytrids, move.

Zoospore

A motile spore with a flagellum.

Mitosis

The process of cell division that produces two identical daughter cells.

Meiosis

The process of cell division that produces haploid spores in fungi.

Fertilization

The fusion of gametes to form a zygote.

Zygote

The diploid cell formed by the fusion of gametes.

Haploid (n)

Having one set of chromosomes.

Diploid (2n)

Having two sets of chromosomes.

Alternation of generations

The life cycle of fungi involving both haploid and diploid stages.

Spore

A reproductive cell capable of developing into a new organism without fusion.

Zygospore

A thick-walled spore formed by the fusion of gametangia.

Sporangium

A structure in which spores are produced.

Sporangiophore

A specialized hypha that holds and releases spores.

Gametangium

A structure that produces gametes.

Gamete

A reproductive cell (such as sperm or egg) that fuses during fertilization.

(+) & (–) mating types

Different mating types in fungi that must come together for sexual reproduction.