Fungi Flashcards
(40 cards)
What are the two main types of fungi based on their feeding habits?
Saprophytic and Parasitic
Saprophytic fungi feed on dead organic matter, while parasitic fungi absorb food from a live host.
What is an example of a saprophytic fungus?
Mushroom
Mushrooms are common examples of fungi that feed on decaying organic matter.
What types of parasitic fungi exist?
Facultative and Obligate
Facultative fungi may be parasitic but are not always, while obligate fungi must live off a live host.
What is an example of an obligate parasitic fungus?
Certain types of mildew
Obligate fungi require a live host for survival.
What is an example of a poisonous fungus?
Deathcap
The Deathcap mushroom is well-known for being highly toxic.
What is the structure of Rhizopus primarily made of?
Hyphae
Hyphae are fibrous, thread-like structures that make up the body of the fungus.
What type of spores do Rhizopus produce during asexual reproduction?
Haploid spores
The nuclei of hyphae in Rhizopus are haploid, leading to the formation of haploid spores.
What is a group of hyphae called?
Mycelium
Mycelium is the vegetative part of a fungus, consisting of a mass of branching, thread-like hyphae.
What do rhizoids do in Rhizopus?
Increase surface area for nutrient absorption and anchor the fungus
Rhizoids help the fungus to secure itself and absorb nutrients more effectively.
What are stolons in the context of Rhizopus?
Hyphae that grow sideways
Stolons facilitate the spread of the fungus by growing horizontally.
What is the function of the sporangium in Rhizopus?
Contains cells that divide by meiosis to form spores
The sporangium is crucial for the reproduction of Rhizopus through spore formation.
What happens to the sporangium after it dries up?
It releases the spores
The release of spores allows for the propagation of the fungus.
What occurs when fungi from opposite strains meet?
They grow swellings that touch each other
This interaction is part of the sexual reproduction process in fungi.
What is formed when the nuclei move into the swellings of touching fungi?
Progametangia
Progametangia precede the formation of gametangia during sexual reproduction.
What is the process that occurs after the walls of gametangia dissolve?
Fertilization occurs
The dissolution of gametangia walls allows for the fusion of gametes.
What is formed when diploid zygote nuclei combine?
Diploid zygote nuclei are formed
This is the initial stage in the life cycle of certain fungi.
What surrounds the diploid zygote nuclei?
A zygospore forms around the nuclei
The zygospore is crucial for the survival and reproduction of the organism.
What process occurs when a zygospore germinates under favorable conditions?
The zygospore germinates by meiosis
Meiosis leads to the formation of haploid spores.
What grows out of the zygospore after it germinates?
A hypha grows out of the zygospore
Hyphae are essential for the growth and nutrient absorption of fungi.
What type of reproduction occurs in yeast?
Asexual reproduction occurs (budding)
Budding is a common method of reproduction in yeast where the parent cell divides.
What is a key characteristic of yeast?
Yeast is a unicellular fungus
Yeast plays a significant role in fermentation processes.
What does the yeast cell contain?
It contains:
* nucleus
* food stores
* fat granules
* vacuole
* cell wall made of chitin
These structures are essential for yeast’s survival and reproduction.
How does yeast reproduce asexually?
The parent cell divides by mitosis and the daughter cell ‘buds off’
This method allows rapid population increase under suitable conditions.
What beneficial uses does yeast have?
Yeast can be used to make:
* bread
* alcohol
Fermentation by yeast is critical in baking and brewing industries.
