KINGDOM: Fungi, DOMAIN: Eukarya Description: Fungi are heterotrophs that absorb their food. Description (cont.)
• They are almost all multicellular • They are all eukaryotes. • They have cell walls made of chitin. – (Plant cell walls are made of cellulose.)
Where do Fungi Live? • Moist habitats world wide
Common Examples: mushrooms, yeast, bread mold
Mode(s) of Nutrition • Fungi are adapted to absorb their food from the environment. • Fungi absorb food through hyphae • Fungi are NOT producers!!! They are CONSUMERS!!! – (Plants have chlorophyll and photosynthesize.) .
Fungi reproduce sexually and asexually. • Most fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually. • Ex. Yeasts: - reproduce asexually through budding. – form asci during sexual reproduction.
Budding yeast • All fungi form spores and zygotes.
Sporangia
Spores
Sporangia are structures that produce spores. Diagram
Parts of a Typical Fungus: –hyphae = long strands of the fungi body – mycellium = long tangled masses of hyphae – fruiting body = a reproductive structure visible above ground Classified by: How they reproduce and shape of their fruiting body.
Fungi Main Groups and Examples • Primitive fungi are aquatic and have flagellated spores. • Sac fungi form a reproductive sac, or ascus. – Ex. Yeasts are single-celled sac fungi. – Ex. Morels and truffles are multicellular sac fungi.
Morels Moss cup fungi: Scarlet Elf Cup • Bread molds are often found on spoiled food. – form zygospores during reproduction – mycorrhizae belong to this group Fungi come in many shapes and sizes.
• Club fungi have fruiting bodies which are club- shaped.
– reproductive structures called basidia – include: mushrooms, puffballs, and shelf fungi
Puffballs release a cloud of spores when the fruiting body matures and bursts. • Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles. – distinctive reproductive structures • Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles. – life cycles may include either sexual or asexual reproduction or both • Multicellular fungi have complex reproductive cycles. – life cycles may include either sexual or asexual reproduction or both How Fungi Help Man • Food – we eat many forms of fungi – Ex. Mushrooms, Truffles, Morels – Many foods are flavored by fungi action – Some alcoholic beverages are made by fungi – Fungi (Yeast) make bread dough rise
•Medicines- many antibiotics are produced from fungi
•Fungi are studied for many purposes. How Fungi Hurt Man
• Fungi can be pathogens of man: – Diseases include: atheletes foot, ringworm, some forms of respiratory illnesses, yeast infections
•Fungi can be pathogens of animals and crops: •Cost farmers $$$
19.5 Diversity of Fungi
• Fungi can act as pathogens. – human diseases include ringworm and athlete’s foot – plant diseases include Dutch elm disease, peach scab, and gray mold on strawberries
Athlete’s foot
Dutch elm disease is spread by the adult elm bark beetle as they lay their eggs. Special Roles in Ecosystems 19.5 Diversity of Fungi
Fungi may be decomposers or mutualists. • Fungi and bacteria are the main decomposers in any ecosystem. – decompose dead leaves, twigs, logs, and animals – return nutrients to the soil – But, can damage fruit trees and wooden structures 19.5 Diversity of Fungi
• Fungi can act as mutualists = both organisms in relationship benefit.
– Ex. Mycorrhizae form between fungi and plants – Helps plants absorb nutrients by adding length and increased surface area to their roots 19.5 Diversity of Fungi
• Fungi can act as mutualists – Ex. lichens form between fungi and algae (or cyanobacteria) – Help aid in soil development by breaking down rocks 19.5 Diversity of Fungi
• Fungi can act as mutualists. – relationships form between fungi and some insects
Leaf cutter ants bring leaves back to their nests to provide food for fungi. The ants then eat the growing fungal mycelium.