Mycology and Virology

• Saprotrophs obtain nutrients from dead organic matter by secreting enzymes to break down complex molecules like carbohydrates, proteins, fats, and nucleic acids.
• The fungal kingdom is divided into four major groups based on their mode of nutrition: saprotrophs, parasites, mutualists, and biotrophs.
• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that lack chlorophyll, have cell walls made up of polysaccharides (chitin or glucan), reproduce sexually through the formation of spores, and can be unicellular or multicellular.
• Parasitism involves the use of living organisms as hosts, with some species being obligate parasites that cannot survive outside of their host's body.
• Pathogenicity refers to an infectious agent's ability to cause disease or harm to its host.
• Parasitism is the relationship between two organisms where one (the parasite) benefits at the expense of the other (the host).
• The pathogenesis process involves colonization, invasion, multiplication, tissue damage, and spread of infection.
• Mycosis refers to any disease caused by fungi, while mycetoma is an infection characterized by the presence of granules containing fungus-like structures within subcutaneous tissues.
• Mutualistic relationships involve both partners benefiting from the interaction, such as lichens where algae or cyanobacteria live inside hyphae and are protected while providing food through photosynthesis.
• Biotrophy refers to the ability of certain fungi to grow only within living plant tissues without causing visible damage.
• Molds are filamentous fungi with hyphae that branch repeatedly, forming colonies called mycelia.
• Virulence is the degree of pathogenicity exhibited by a microorganism.
• Yeast is a type of mold that grows as single cells or small clusters of cells.
• Mutualistic relationships involve both partners benefiting from the interaction, such as lichens where algae live inside fungi and photosynthesize while the fungus provides protection and water absorption.
• Virulence factors include adhesins, invasins, enzymes, toxins, and immune evasion mechanisms.
• Biotrophy refers to the ability of certain fungi to grow only within living plant cells without causing damage to them.
• Mycosis is any infection caused by a fungus.
• Mutualistic relationships involve both partners benefiting from the interaction.
• Candidiasis is a common yeast infection caused by Candida albicans, which can affect various parts of the body such as the mouth, throat, vagina, skin, nails, and bloodstream.
• Yeast


  A type of fungus that grows as single cells or small clusters of cells, often used in the production of bread, beer, and wine.
• Mold


  A type of fungus that grows as multicellular filaments called hyphae, found on various surfaces such as food, walls, and damp areas.
• Budding


  A type of asexual reproduction in yeast where a small bud or protrusion forms on the surface of the parent cell, grows, and eventually detaches to form a new cell.
• Fission


  A type of asexual reproduction in some species of yeast where the cell divides into two equal parts, each with its own nucleus.
• Sexual reproduction in yeast

  Occurs in some species of yeast, but is less common in industrial applications.