Fungus Chapter 31

  1. What characteristics are unique to Fungi? 

  2. Why were Fungi thought to be closely related to plants? What do we now know about the relationship of Fungi to Plants and Animals?

  3. Define the following terms: yeasts, hyphae, chitin, mycelium, septa, coenocytic, haustoria, ectomycorrhizal fungi, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, plasmogamy, karyogamy, heterokaryotic/dikaryotic.

  4. Briefly describe the fungal life cycle. Describe the unique features of this life cycle.

  5. Fungi are very large organisms but we rarely see them. Why?

  6. Which mode of nutrition is shared among ALL fungi?

  7. Contrast absorptive vs ingestive feeding. Which do fungi do?

  8. How to structure and function in fungi relate to their role in ecosystems?

  9. What is enzyme induction and what role does it play in fungal digestion and absorption?

  10. Review the following fungal phyla in your text: Chytidiomycota, Mucoromycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota.

    • For each, be familiar with: the general types of organisms in each phylum, distinguishing features of morphology, life cycles (i.e. sexual and/or asexual reproductive structures).

  11. Provide examples of some of the ecological roles of fungi: fungi as decomposers, fungi as mutualists, fungi as pathogens.

    • More specifically, describe: fungal farming, fungi as endophytes, lichens, and both types of mycorrhizae. 

  12. Your cranky old neighbor takes a lot of pride in maintaining his green grassy lawn. Every time he sees a mushroom pop up in his pristine yard, he angrily kicks it over, sending spores flying. You decide to confront your neighbor about his behavior. Explain how you would describe the following, in an attempt to educate your neighbor:

    • The basic morphology of the fungal body (a labeled sketch may be helpful)

    • How fungi feed and in what ways their morphology is adapted to their mode of nutrition

    • How fungi reproduce?