FUNGI

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FUNGI

• An Overview

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Characteristics of Fungi

• Eukaryotic
• Nonphotosynthetic ( heterotrophic)
• Most are multicellular
• Most are microscopic molds or yeasts

The study fungi is known as MYCOLOGY.
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Structure of Fungi

• Filaments of fungi are called hyphae.
• The cell walls contain chitin.
• The MYCELIUM is a mat of hyphae visible to the
  unaided eye ( bread mold)
• Some hyphae may divided by cross sections called
  septa

Septated
Unseptated - coenocytic
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Reproduction

• Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually.
• Asexual reproduction production of various
  types of spores
• Sporangiophores- upright stalk with an enclosed
  sac ( bread mold)
• Conidia - upright stalk with no enclosed sac
  (penicillin)
• Fragmentation hyphae dry out and shatter
  releasing individual cells that act like spores
  (athletes foot)
• Budding small offspring

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• Sexual reproduction
• plus and minus mating types
• Hyphae of different mating types fuse and give
  rise to a specialized structure that produces
  spores ( diploid)
• Most fungi are haploid throughout most of their
  life cycle
• When environmental conditions are favorable,
  asexual reproduction occurs rapidly. When
  unfavorable conditions stress the organism,
  sexual reproduction occurs and the offspring have
  an increased likehood that they will be better
  suited for the environment.

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Fungi decompose dead plant and animal matter.

• Called saprophytes, they act as recyclers of dead
  organic matter, obtaining food from this
  material.
• Hyphal tips release enzymes that eventually
  decompose and release organic materials into the
  surrounding environment.
• Saprophytic fungi appear on dead trees, logs,
  plant litter such as leaves, and even dead
  insects and animals. Examples "Gem-studded
  Puffball" (Lycoperdon perlatum) and "Turkey
  Tail"(Trametes versicolor).

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Fungi and Humans

• Many people have allergies triggered by mold.
• Fungal skin infections skin, nails and hair
• Ringworm, athletes foot
• Internal organs - Histoplasmosis

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Fungi in Industry

• Fungi produce many products used in the medical
  field such as penicillin, cephalosporin
  antibotics, cortisone
• Fungi are used in genetic engineering vaccine
  for hepatitis B was developed using the yeast
  plasmid as the vector.
• Yeast is used to make ethanol.
• Yeast are known for making breads rise.

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Fungi in the Food Industry
Mushrooms, morels and truffles are widely
consumed by humans.
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Fungi are Plant Pathogens

• Many fungi attack grain or fruit.

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Fungi form beneficial partnerships (symbiosis)
with other organisms such as trees and flowering
plants
Algae
hyphae
Lichen symbiotic relationship between algae and
fungi
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Lab