Fungus Flashcards
(22 cards)
What specialized structures do mycorrhizal fungi have?
Specialized hyphae
These hyphae enable a mutually beneficial relationship with plants.
What are the two main types of mycorrhizal fungi?
- Ectomycorrhizal fungi
- Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi
What is the primary method of reproduction in fungi?
Fungi produce spores through sexual or asexual life cycles.
What does karyogamy involve in the sexual life cycle of fungi?
Cytoplasmic fusion, plasmogamy, and nuclear fusion.
What happens to diploid cells resulting from karyogamy?
They are short lived and undergo meiosis, producing genetically diverse haploid spores.
How do fungi absorb nutrients?
By secreting hydrolytic enzymes into their surroundings.
What role do fungi play in ecological communities?
- Decomposers
- Parasites
- Mutualists
What do decomposer fungi break down?
Non-living organic material, such as fallen logs and animal corpses.
How do mutualistic fungi benefit their hosts?
They reciprocate with actions that benefit the host.
What is the body structure of most fungi?
Multicellular filaments and single cells.
What strengthens the cell walls of fungi?
Chitin.
What is the term for the network of tiny filaments formed by fungal hyphae?
Mycelium.
What is the function of septa in fungal hyphae?
They divide hyphae into cells and have pores for ribosomes, mitochondria, and nuclei to flow.
What is a characteristic of synocytic fungi?
They consist of a continuous cytoplasmic mass with hundreds or thousands of nuclei.
How do mycorrhizal fungi benefit plants?
They improve delivery of phosphate ions and other minerals.
How do fungi disperse to new areas?
By dispersing haploid cells called spores.
True or False: Fungi can ingest food like animals.
False.
What enhances the feeding efficiency of multicellular fungi?
Their morphology, which increases the surface to volume ratio.
What type of environments do yeasts often inhabit?
Moist environments, including plant sap and animal tissues.
What is the role of enzymes secreted by fungi?
To break down complex molecules into smaller organic compounds.
What is the ecological importance of fungi?
They perform essential recycling of chemical elements.
What do lichens represent?
Highly integrated symbiotic associations of fungi and algae or cyanobacteria.
