Fungi Flashcards
(12 cards)
What is the fruiting body of a fungus?
The visible reproductive structure that produces spores.
What are hyphae?
Thread-like structures (like roots) that make up the body of a fungus.
What is mycelium?
A dense mat of hyphae that forms the main body of a fungus.
What are septa in fungi?
Cross walls within hyphae that divide them into compartments.
What is chitin?
A tough, flexible substance found in fungal cell walls (and also in insect exoskeletons).
What are the three main ways fungi feed?
Saprophytic – feeding on dead organic matter
Parasitic – feeding on a living host
Symbiotic – living in a mutually beneficial relationship
What is a lichen?
A symbiotic relationship between a fungus and an alga (green algae or cyanobacteria).
What is a fairy ring?
A naturally occurring ring or arc of mushrooms.
What is Pilobolus also known as?
The dung cannon – it shoots its spores off dung.
What is the world’s largest known fungus?
Armillaria ostoyae (honey mushroom) in Oregon, covering 8.9 km² (2,200 acres).
How many spores can a giant puffball produce?
About 15 trillion from one fruiting body.
Name three types of fungi shown in the document.
Blood tooth fungus, bracket fungus, bird’s nest fungus (and many others!).
