L13 FUNGI

Question 1

List general charcteristics of fungi. (4)

Answer 1

1. They are eukaryotic
2. They have chitin in their cell walls
3. They are heterotrophic
4. They secrete exoenzymes that breakdown large molecules in order to absorb them.

Question 2

Fill in the blanks.

Answer 2

Question 3

How to fungi reproduce?

Answer 3

Asexually via spores.

Question 4

Name microscopic, multicellular and complex fungi.

Answer 4

Unicellular: yeast
Multicellular: mold
Large: mushroom IE shiitake

Question 5

TRUE OR FALSE: Fungi have limits to growth.

Answer 5

FALSE: largest organisms in the world are recorded to be fungi.

Name: Honey mushrooms Age: estimated >2,400 years old Weight: estimated 7,500- 35,000 tons Size: 10 KM2

Question 6

Where can fungi be found?

Answer 6

Fungi found almost everywhere.

Question 7

List the main economic uses of fungi. (3)

Answer 7

1. Food: mushrooms are highly polular food, fungi ripens and flavours cheeses, yeast is important component of bread & alcohol
2. Drugs: many fungi natural antibiotic producers IE penicillin.
3. Bioremediation: fungi can break down pollutants like petroleum fuels, herbicides etc into nontoxic compounds.

Question 8

What is the fungi’s primary role in the ecosystem?

Answer 8

They are decomposers. They secrete enzymes to break down dead organic matter into products for ecosystem. They also play a role in nitrogen fixation. Recall ammomification. inorganic compounds => CO2 for atmosphere, NH4+ for soil.

Question 9

List ecological benefits of fungi.

Answer 9

1. They are decomposers
2. They are plant parasites
3. They cause disease and infection in humans (mycotoxins)

Question 10

List mutualistic symbionts of fungi and orther organisms.

Answer 10

1. Lichens = fungi + algaue/cyanobac
   Algae provides fixed organic C, fungi provides nutrients&shelter.
2. Mycorrhizae = fungi + plant.
   Plant provides organic C, fungi provides nutrients and pathogene resistance.

Question 11

How do trees & plants communicate & share nutrients
underground?

Answer 11

With the help
of vast underground mycorrhizal fungal
networks, they can transport their excess carbon-based food to younger more vulnerable trees

Question 12

Is the relatioship between plants and fungi signficant?

Answer 12

Yes, almost all plant roots are associated with fungi today and have been since early life.

Question 13

What are mycoheterotrophic plants?

Answer 13

Myco: relating to fungi
Heterotrophic: requiring organic carbon
Plants that are achlorophyllous (unable to photosynthesize) and use fungi to steal carbon from other plants.