3.3 The Fungus Kingdom

Structure of Fungus

• Fruiting Body

• The part that is seen above ground

• Reproductive structures make spores

• Mycelium

• Branching network like roots

• Part of the fungus that is underground

Describe the Nutrition

• Parasitic - absorb nutrients from living host

• Predatory - trap prey with specialized mycelia

• Mutualistic - through partnership with other organisms

• Saprobial - feed on dead organisms/organic waste ( decomposers )

Describe what reproduction is ( Asexual and Sexual)

• Asexual - haploid reproductive cells produced by mitosis that forms a new genetically identical mycelium

• smaller cell develops attached to parent cell then pinches off

• piece of mycelium breaks off and forms new individual

• Sexual - haploid cells that fuse into a diploid zygote which undergoes meiosis to produce haploid sexual spores which are genetically different from the parent

What is a spore?

• A spore is a one-celled reproductive unit

• Highly resistant to desiccation and heat due to the structure of the cell wall

• Capable of growing into new organisms if conditions become favourable

Describe Zygospore fungi ( phylum zygomycota)

• Multicellular (usually found in bread mold)

• uses asexual reproduction

• Diploid structures that develop after two haploid hyphae of opposite types combine and fuse nuclei together

• protective wall forms around zygospore and it lays dormant until conditions are favorable then it absorbs water and undergoes meiosis

Describe club Fungi - Phylum Basidiomycota

• Lawn Mushrooms

• Reproductive structures called fruiting bodies ad basidiocarps release basidiospores from club shaped hyphae called basidia

• The portion of the mushroom that above ground is the sexual structure of the fungus

• reproduces sexually

SAC Fungi - Phylum Ascomycota

• truffles used in cooking

• Asexual and sexual reproduction

• develops spores directly at the tips and the spores get released by the wind

• sexual reproduction in this group involves fusion of two different mating types to form spore bearing asci

• feed breaking down wood and bone materials

Imperfect Fungi - Phylum Deuteromycota

• Reproduces only asexually

• reproduce spores called conidia

• mold that grows on fruit and cheese

Chytrids - Phylum Chytridomycota

• Mostly have unicellular and aquatic

• spores have flagella

• live both in salt and fresh water

• can be parasitic

Describe Lichens

• composite organisms - made from 2 different organisms in a mutualistic relationship

• A fungus and photosynthetic organism can live in extreme environments

• Food sources for deer, elk, and caribou