Diversity Lesson : Fungi

JOKES!!!

• Why was the mushroom invited to the party?

• Because he was a Fun Guy

• Why did the fungi and algae get married?

• They had a lichen for each other

2

Characteristics

• Once classified as Plant Kingdom due to cell wall

• Cell walls containing chitin (same material used to make the exoskeleton of insects)

• Heterotrophic: need to eat to obtain energy

• Structure has been adapted for two main functions: absorption of nutrients and reproduction

• The majority of a fungus is in the form of a mycelium (branching structure) typically found underground

• The reproductive structure (fruiting body) is the visible part of the fungus (above ground)

Structure of a Fungus

•Often the only visible parts of a fungus

are its reproductive structures

Examples of Fungi• Water moulds

• Common moulds (e.g. bread)

• Yeast

• Mushrooms

• Parasitic fungi

Connection to Human Diseases• Ringworm

• Athlete’s Foot

• “Destroying Angel’s”

• “Death Cap” (most dangerous)

Importance of Fungi

• Decomposer in nature’s recycling system

• Yeast - makes bread, wine and beer

• Penicillum produces antibiotic

• Mushrooms - food items

Reproduction

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_rprVa-RY4

Work

• Read pp. 105-109 (Ch3 in the PDF)

• Do Q19 – 23 on p.107

• Sketch fig. 3.16 on p.105

11