BIO320 CHP 5 (FUNGI)

• Habitats of fungi


  • Combination of moisture and availability of organic matters
• Cell walls of fungi

  • Composed of chitin, a polysaccharide that is similarly found in the exoskeleton of insects and other arthropods
• Body plan of fungi

  • Long, branched, threadlike filaments called hyphae
  • Hyphae form a tangled mass known as a mycelium
• Hyphae of fungi


  Composed of 2 different types: coenocytic and septate
• Heterotrophic styles of fungi

  • Saprophytic
  • Parasitic
  • Symbiotic
• Saprophytic fungi


  Obtain their nutrients from dead organic matter
• Parasitic fungi


  Gain nutrient from the other living organisms
• Nutrient acquisition by fungi

  1. Hyphae secrete digestive enzymes

  2. Food is digested externally

  3. Food is absorbed through their cell wall and plasma membrane
• Fungi are able to reproduce asexually or sexually