fungi Flashcards
(38 cards)
What is the singular and plural form of “fungi”?
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A: Fungus (singular), Fungi (plural)
What is the study of fungi called?
A: Mycology
Where are fungi commonly found?
A: On decomposing food, wood, air, or soil.
Why were fungi almost placed in the Plant Kingdom?
A: Because they are eukaryotic and have cell walls.
Name two plant-like characteristics of fungi.
A: 1. Eukaryotic
2. Cell walls
Name three non-plant-like characteristics of fungi.
A: 1. Heterotrophic
2. No photosynthesis
3. Cell walls made of chitin, not cellulose
Q: Are fungi unicellular or multicellular?
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A: Mostly multicellular (except yeast)
How do hyphae form?
A: From fungal spores that germinate.
What are the thread-like structures in fungi called?
A: Hyphae
What is a tangled mass of hyphae called?
A: Mycelium
What are the functions of different types of mycelium?
A: 1. Anchor fungi
2. Invade food source
3. Form reproductive structures
Why is mycelium well-suited to absorb food?
A: Due to its large surface area and network of hyphae.
Q: What are the cross walls that divide hyphae into cells called?
A: Septa
What is the function of septa in hyphae?
A:
A: They are porous and allow cytoplasm and organelles to flow between cells, distributing nutrients and materials efficiently
What are hyphae without septa called?
A: Coenocytic or aseptate hyphae
What is the process by which fungi obtain food?
A: Extracellular digestion
Q: What happens during extracellular digestion?
A: Food is digested outside fungal cells using enzymes, and then the smaller molecules are absorbed.
Q: What do hyphae do to help fungi obtain nutrients?
A: Grow into the food source and release digestive enzymes that break down complex molecules into smaller, absorbable ones.
Q: What are the three types of feeding relationships fungi can have?
A: 1. Saprophytes – decompose dead material
2. Mutualists – live in symbiosis with another organism
3. Parasites – absorb nutrients from living hosts
Q: What special structure do parasitic fungi form?
A: Haustoria – specialized hyphae that penetrate host cells
Q: What are the two main types of reproduction in fungi?
A: Asexual and sexual reproduction
Q: What are three methods of asexual reproduction in fungi?
A: 1. Fragmentation
2. Budding
3. Producing spores
Q: What happens during fragmentation in fungi?
A: A piece of mycelium breaks off to form new mycelium.
Q: What is budding in fungi?
A: A small part of the parent cell pinches off to form a new, usually unicellular organism (common in yeast).
