Saprophytes. Multicellular and multinucleated except
for yeast which is unicellular
No chlorophyll. Have rigid cell wall which is chitin
Primary storage is glycogen. Reproduce
sexually and asexually.
Hyphae - long branched threadlike filaments
Mass of hyphae is mycelia. Hyphae
network through wood, soil and cheese.
Three types of feeding form which is saprobic(feed on
dead matter) , parasitic( feed on living host) and
mutualistic heterotrophs( feed on living host, both host
and fungus benefits)
Anamorphs
Teleomorphic - produces sexual and asexual spores
Anamorphic fungi - produces asexual spores only.
Asexual reproduction- Parent cell undergo mitosis to form
daughter cells.
Mitosis in vegetative cells may be concurrent with budding to
produce a daughter cell
Sexual reproduction - involves fusion of compatible nuclei
Homothallic: Sexually compatible
gametes are formed on the same
mycellium and self fertilizing
Heterothallic: Outcrossing between
different, yet compatible mycelia
Three types of sexual spores
Zygospore - large spore enclosed in thick wall
Ascospore - produced in a sac like structure called ascus
Basidiospore- formed externally at base of basidium
Life cycle of fungi
Types of fungi
chytrids (Chytridiomycota)
zygote (Zygomycota)
Sac (Ascomycota)
club (Basidiomycota)
Club fungi and sexual reproduction form basidium
Decomposers. Have edible and non edible
Cryptococcus neoformans
cryptococcosis - systemic infection
Microsporidia
Obligate intracellular fungal parasites
that infect insects, fish and humans.
Capable of surviving outside the host.
Structural similar to 'classic fungi' however lack of
mitochondria, peroxisomes and centrioles
Microsporodia
Pathogenesis- severe in HIV/ AIDS patient
Basidiomycota and Ascomycota are dikarya - two
parental nuclei are initially paired. Nuclei fuse,
undergo meiosis and produce haploid progeny
Zygomycota and Chytridiomycota are paraphyletic
Chytridiomycota- anaerobic rumen fungi. Decompose cellulose. Produce zoospores
and they are obligate anaerobes
Zycomycota- terrestrial. The decomposers and form zygosporangia.
They form bread mold which is Rhizopus stolonifer
Form coencytic hyphae containing numerous haploid nuclei
Genus Rhizopus- Rhizopus- Burkholderia- symbiosis
Used to make tempeh and soybeans
Commercially used to produce anesthetics,yellow coloring in margarine
Glomeromycota- mycorrhizal symbionts of vascular plants
Mutual relationship and benefits both
Ascomycota
Phylum- sac fungi. Red, brown and blue-green
molds causes food spoilage
Asexual reproduction- conidia
Sexual reproduction - ascus formation with ascospores.
Opposite mating types form zygote. Ascospores
forcefully released from ascocarp, germinate
Aspergillus
A. fumigatus
allergies and significant pathogen
A.oryzae
production of fermented foods
Mycorrhizae - mutual association between
plant root and fungi. Plants benefits is
increase surface area and growth potential. Fungi benefits by feeding from tissues of plant
Auricularia
Lichen- assiociation of a fungus and photosynthetic symbiont resulting in stable thallus of specific structure
Mutual relationship between algae and fungi. Algae produces food and the fungus provides protection, water and minerals
Sensitive to environmental toxins and they serve as indicators of the ecological health of an area.
Foliose lichens
Leaf-like
Fruticose lichens
Hair-like/threadlike
Crustose lichens
Grow flat to the surface
Mycobiont- protection from sunlight and dessication
Photobiont: synthesize organic nutrient from carbon dioxide
Ecological impact of fungi which is as decomposers, modify habitat, spoilers, improve plant growth, pathogens and as food also
Dimorphic Fungi- dimorphism which is two forms of growth. Either mold (by vegetative and aerial hyphae) or yeast (budding,)