Fungi

• Fungi are eukaryotic or prokaryotic?

  eukaryotic
• Fungi can be multicellular or unicellular
• Are fungi heterotrophic or autotrophic?

  heterotrophic
• Fungi can grow as hyphal filaments, which can be metres in length.

  What is a mass of hyphae called? Mycelium.

  Hyphae can be septate or non-septate (coenocytic)

  What do hyphae secrete? Enzymes and other compounds (like antibiotics)
• What is a fungi's cell wall made up of?

  Chitin
• Most fungi digest their food extracellularly.
• What are the 3 types of lifestyles for obtaining nutrition?

  1. Saprophyte
  2. Parasites
  3. Symbionts
• Saprophytes grow and feed on dead organic material
• Parasites grow on or live in a host and harm them
• Symbionts grow in beneficial intimate association with another type of organism
• What are the 3 major groups of fungi covered?

  1. Zygomycetes
  2. Ascomycetes
  3. Basidiomycetes
• What are zygomycetes?

  Bread moulds

  They can reproduce sexually and asexually.

  Are they septate or non-septate?

  non-septate (coenocytic)
• What are Ascomycetes?

  Sac or cup fungi

  They reproduce sexually

  Are they septate or non-septate?

  Septate

  Some examples: Yeats and truffles
• What are Basidiomycetes?

  Mushrooms, toadstools, puffballs, etc

  They reproduce sexually

  Are they septate or non-septate?

  Septate
• Name 3 important symbiotic relationships.

  1. Lichens
  2. Termitomyces
  3. Micorrhiza
• Lichens: The symbiotic relationship between algae and fungi.

  The fungal hyphae make up structure for the algae, and takes up nutrients and water.

  The algae provides carbon through photosynthesis
• Termitomyces: The symbiotic relationship between termites and fungi.

  The termites provide a suitable environment for the fungi in their nests.

  The fungi break down organic matter such as wood into a simpler nutrient that the termite can digest
• Mycorrhiza: The symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungi.

  The fungi act, as a nutrient bridge between the soil and plant root, enabling plant to grow in nutrient poor soil.

  The fungi are provided with carbohydrates through photosynthesis

  The plant root is provided with phosphorous
• Important roles of fungi in the environment

  1. soil saprophytes
  2. agricultural crops and native vegetation
  3. decay vegetative matter
  4. essential for carbon and nitrogen nutrient cycles
• Fungi are used to produce:

  1. Food and beverages
  2. antibiotics
  3. steroids
  4. structural material
• How do fungi disperse?

  Spores