Fungi & MoldsFungi & MoldsFungi Are Fungi Are eukaryotic eukaryotic heterotrophsheterotrophs..Frequently decomposers, Frequently decomposers, sometimes parasites.sometimes parasites.Usual structure is a mass of Usual structure is a mass of entangled filaments called entangled filaments called HyphaeHyphaeHyphae can have cross walls Hyphae can have cross walls ((SeptumSeptum) separating ) separating individual cells. Or have no individual cells. Or have no separations.separations.Overall mass is called Overall mass is called myceliummycelium

ReproductionReproduction

Fungi differ from many organisms in that they:Fungi differ from many organisms in that they: Reproduce Reproduce sexuallysexually & & asexuallyasexually Longest stage of life cycle is in the haploid (N) stage Longest stage of life cycle is in the haploid (N) stage

NOT the diploid (2N) stage.NOT the diploid (2N) stage. Asexual reproduction is accomplished through the Asexual reproduction is accomplished through the

creation and spreading of creation and spreading of asexual sporesasexual spores.. Sexual reproduction is accomplished through creation Sexual reproduction is accomplished through creation

and spreading of and spreading of sexual sporessexual spores by opposite by opposite mating mating typestypes ((+) & (-)). ((+) & (-)).

There are 3 major divisions of fungiThere are 3 major divisions of fungi

Division Zygomycota:Division Zygomycota:

Example: Black Bread moldExample: Black Bread mold Hyphae produce Hyphae produce SporangiumSporangium which form spores which form spores

asexuallyasexually which are released to form new mycelia. which are released to form new mycelia. Reproduce sexually also.Reproduce sexually also. Hyphae of (+) and (-) mating types called Hyphae of (+) and (-) mating types called

GametangiaGametangia fuse to form a diploid (2N) fuse to form a diploid (2N) ZygosporeZygospore Zygospore undergoes meiosis to produce spores Zygospore undergoes meiosis to produce spores

which are then releasedwhich are then released

Life Cycle of the Bread MoldLife Cycle of the Bread Mold

Sexual reproductionSexual reproduction Hyphae called Hyphae called StolonsStolons of of opposite mating types (+ & -) opposite mating types (+ & -) will fuse to form a structure will fuse to form a structure called called GametangiaGametangia..Diploid (2N) Zygospore is Diploid (2N) Zygospore is formed.formed.Zygospore produces Zygospore produces sporandia which undergoes sporandia which undergoes meiosis to release haploid (N) meiosis to release haploid (N) spores.spores.

Division Ascomycetes (Sac Fungi)Division Ascomycetes (Sac Fungi)

Named because Named because sexualsexual spores are produced in spores are produced in small sacs called small sacs called asci asci (ascus(ascus).).

Asexual spores are Asexual spores are produced on produced on conidiaconidia by by special hyphae called special hyphae called conidiophoresconidiophores..

Division Basidomycota:Division Basidomycota:

Include mushrooms, shelf fungi & puffballsInclude mushrooms, shelf fungi & puffballs

Name derives from formation of a transient diploid (2N) stage of the life cycle called the Basidium.

Life cycle of basidiomycotaLife cycle of basidiomycota

NOTE: NEVER eat a wild mushroom. Many are NOTE: NEVER eat a wild mushroom. Many are extremely toxic and can cause serious injury or death extremely toxic and can cause serious injury or death

if eaten.if eaten.

Ecological SignificanceEcological Significance::

Are valuable Are valuable decomposersdecomposers which which function to return function to return organic material back to organic material back to the ecosystem.the ecosystem.

Fungi can form valuable Fungi can form valuable symbiotic relationshipssymbiotic relationships

Example are Example are lichenslichens which is a symbiotic which is a symbiotic relationship with algaerelationship with algae..

Fungi SignificanceFungi Significance Have great economic valueHave great economic value

Yeast is a unicellular fungus used for baking and brewing.Yeast is a unicellular fungus used for baking and brewing. Many mushrooms are edibleMany mushrooms are edible

Diseases caused by fungi.Diseases caused by fungi. Plants are most vulnerable to molds & fungi.Plants are most vulnerable to molds & fungi. It is a serious threat to agriculture some common crop diseases caused It is a serious threat to agriculture some common crop diseases caused

by molds & fungi are:by molds & fungi are: Potato blightPotato blight Wheat rustWheat rust Corn smutCorn smut Can cause disease in humans.Can cause disease in humans. "Athlete's foot""Athlete's foot" Ring wormRing worm Thrush and other yeast infectionsThrush and other yeast infections