Fungi Flashcards
(24 cards)
What are the key characteristics of Kingdom Fungi?
- Eukaryotic
- Unicellular (yeast) or multicellular
- Cell wall made of chitin
- Body structure consists of hyphae
- Heterotrophic and saprotrophic
- Extracellular digestion
- Found in various environments
What is the primary reproduction method of Zygomycota?
Asexual reproduction using sporangiospores
What organisms are examples of Zygomycota?
- Rhizopus stolonifer (black bread mould)
- Mucor mucedo (pin mould)
What type of hyphae do Zygomycota have?
Coenocytic hyphae
What is the role of extracellular digestion in fungi?
Materials are broken down outside the cell and then absorbed
True or False: Fungi are autotrophic organisms.
False
What is the significance of fungi in food science?
They are important as decomposers and in the production of certain foods like cheeses
What is the structure of the vegetative body of Penicillium?
Mycelial with septate hyphae
How does Penicillium reproduce asexually?
By forming conidia on conidiophores
What is the function of the ascogonium in Ascomycota?
It is the female sex organ involved in sexual reproduction
Fill in the blank: The group of fungi that do not show a sexual phase and reproduce asexually is called _______.
[Deuteromycota]
What is mycorrhiza?
A symbiotic relationship between fungi and plant roots
What is the primary benefit of Saccharomyces cerevisiae?
Used in baking and brewing industries for fermenting sugar
What type of spores do Ascomycota produce?
Ascospores
What is the role of fungi in antibiotic production?
Sources of antibiotics like penicillin from Penicillium
What is the life cycle of Basidiomycota characterized by?
The presence of club-like structures that carry spores
How do Deuteromycota differ from other fungal groups?
They do not have a sexual reproductive phase
Name a representative organism of Deuteromycota.
Aspergillus
What is the significance of mycorrhizas in agriculture?
Essential for plant performance by aiding nutrient uptake
What type of fungi are known for causing mycoses?
Pathogenic fungi
What is the common name for Rhizopus stolonifer?
Black bread mould
What is the common appearance of Mucor on bread?
White cotton-like threads
What key discovery did Sir Alexander Fleming make?
Penicillin from Penicillium notatum
Classification of Fungi
Fungi are classified based on their reproductive structures and spore types into major groups:
Zygomycota – form zygospores (e.g., bread mold)
Ascomycota – form spores in sac-like asci (e.g., yeasts, morels)
Basidiomycota – produce spores on club-shaped basidia (e.g., mushrooms)
Deuteromycota (Imperfect Fungi) – no known sexual stage (e.g., Penicillium)
