The Kingdom Fungi

Mysterious Molds,Mildews, Yeasts,And Mushrooms

Fungi are their own Kingdom

Kingdom FungiEukaryoticHeterotrophicCan be either unicellular or multicellularHave cell walls made of chitin (tough carbohydrate)

Kingdom Fungi is Diverse!

Kingdom Fungi is a diverse kingdom!

Fungal Structure

Hyphae: thread-like filamentsMycelium: A mat of many hyphaeSpores: reproductive cells of fungi

Mushroom StructureCapGills: spores are produced and drop from the gillsStipe: stem, formed from mycelium (many hyphae filaments)Ring (annulus)

Fungi are Heterotrophs

Fungi must consume foodFungi are NOT plants

Plants make their own food from light energy

Fungi NutritionFungi absorb food from their environment

Large organic molecules (like carbohydrates) are broken down by enzymes

The small, broken down molecules then diffuse in

Many Fungi are Decomposers

Decomposers break down, or decompose, the bodies of dead organismsNutrients are returned to the soil by decomposers

Fungi are Saprophytes or Parasites

Parasitic fungi absorb nutrients from a living host

Athlete's foot

Saprophytic fungi absorb nutrients from a dead host

Decomposers

Reproduction in FungiCan be sexual or asexualAsexual: budding or sporesSexual: spores formed from 2 different fungal gametes

Yeasts Reproduce by Budding

Budding: part of the cell pinches off to form a new one

Budding yeasts

Fungi are Important to the Environment

Nutrient RecyclersPartner with other organisms in symbiotic relationships

Both partners benefitLichens: fungi + algaeMycorrhizae: plant + fungi

Fungi Are Useful to Humans

Many foods Mushrooms, some cheeses, yeasts used in baking, brewing, wine-making

Medical uses the antibiotic penicillin is a fungal product

Yeast used in ethanol production

Classification-due to reproduction

Zygomycota – spores in spheres on filament

Ex: bread mold

Ascomycota – spores in saclike structure (ascus)

Ex: yeast, morels

Classification-cont.

Basidiomycota – spores on clublike structures

Ex: mushrooms

Deuteromycota – asexual reproduction only

Morel

Gyromitra, false morel

!Not safe to eat!When cooked it

produces a volatile toxin called monomethyl hydrozine that is used in rocket fuel! (not safe to inhale)

Death Cap!Most poisonous mushroom in North

America!Half a cap is enough to kill a human