3.1 Fungi Flashcards
(11 cards)
Characteristics of fungi
Fungi are NOT PLANTS
Not photosynthetic
fungi are all heterotrophic
Why are fungi different from other heterotrophs
because they have external digestion, releasing digestive enzymes into their surroundings
Fruiting body
the visible part of the fungus
mycelium
The underground part is called the
made up of millions of fibres called “hyphae”
Classification of Fungi
Fungi form their own clade, sharing a common ancestor 400 million years ago
closer to animals than plants
Life Cycles of Fungi
Some Fungi (like yeasts) reproduce asexually by budding
Some include stages of sexual as well as asexual reproduction.
In fungi, most nuclei are haploid (n), containing only a single set of chromosomes.
Why Fungi are Important
Major decomposers
Symbiotic relationships with plants
Cause rot in wood and fruit
Food source – bread, soy sauce, blue cheese, beer, wine
Source of medicines – penicillin, cyclosporine
Symbiotic Relationship with Plants
Mycorrhizae are fungi that are in a symbiotic relationship with plants
Hyphae enter into root plant cells and deliver water and nutrients
The plant produces sugars and provides them to the fungus
Lichens
Symbiotic relationship between algae (protists) or bacteria and fungus.
Photosynthetic algae or bacteria live on the structure of the fungus.
The photosynthetic partner provide food for the fungus
Fungal diseases
Including ringworm and athlete’s foot
white nose fungus :(
Panama Disease caused..
the wilt of banana cultivar
