Fungi

1. Fungi

2. Fungi: Although originally classified as plants because they share some characteristics, fungi have several characteristics that make them different: • Fungi are eukaryotes (have nuclei) that have cell walls. • All fungi are heterotrophs. • Fungi lack chlorophyll so they are not photosynthetic. • Fungi are major decomposers in every ecosystem.

3. Cell Structure: • Fungi can be unicellular as well as multicellular. • Cells are surrounded by cell walls. • Fungi are composed of filaments called hyphae. • Hyphae are long branching structures of fungus and are the main mode of growth. • The movement of cytoplasm within the hyphae structure provides a way to transport materials throughout the hyphae.

4. Nutrition: • To obtain food: • Fungi can release chemicals that digest whatever they are growing on and then the fungi absorb the food that is being digested • Some fungi catch and eat tiny animals. • Some feed on dead or dying organisms, breaking them down. • Some are Parasites . Whish means: they survive by living on or in a host organism, thus harming it. • Some are symbiotic. Which means: they are in a relationship that helps their host.

5. Reproduction: • Fungi reproduce through the use of spores. Spores: asexual form of reproduction • Are very light and can be carried by the wind. • If they land in the right conditions they can develop hyphae. • Spores develop a special structure called a fruiting body.

7. Reproduction: • When growing conditions become unfavorable, reproduction occurs sexually. • The hyphae of two individuals meet and grow together exchanging genetic material. • The resulting fungus then contains DNA from each of the two parents.

8. Forms of Fungi: • There are Three main types of fungi: • Mushrooms • Yeast • Molds

9. Mushrooms • Mushrooms are shaped like an umbrella and have 5 main parts. • Many mushrooms are eaten for food. • Many are poisonous too. • Parts: • Stalk- is the stem like structure. • Ring- decorates the stalk looks like a short skirt • Cap- top of stalk protects the pores • Spores- used for reproduction found under cap • Hyphae- thread like tubes

10. Cap Spores Ring Stalk Hyphae

11. Yeasts • Yeasts are single celled  unicellular • Used in bread because it is a great environment, warm, moist, full of food. • As yeast grows it produces CO2, which form the tiny bubbles in the dough. • Also used in the production of beer and wine because yeast aid alcohol production through fermentation. • Fermentation  the process yeasts use to gain energy from food when there is no oxygen present.

12. Molds • They can be fuzzy, shapeless, fairly flat fungi that grow on the surface of an object. • Most famous mold substance: penicillin • Penicillin was the first set of drugs affective against many serious diseases. • Who was the scientist that discovered penicillin? • Sir Alexander Fleming

13. Fungi and Other Organisms • Many diseases of crop and garden plants are caused by Fungi. • Some fungi infect plants and produce toxins. • Fungi cause a number of diseases in animals and humans. Some are simply annoying while others are even deadly Examples: • Athlete’s foot. • Farmer’s Lung • Cave Disease/Spelunker’s Lung- fatal if untreated • Ring worm

14. Mycorrhiza: • Fungus- root associations • Known as: Mycorrhizae “helpful fungi” • Can increase their host’s ability to gather nutrients by ten times. • Help protect host against; • Drought • Cold • Acid rain • Other harmful fungi

15. Lichen: • Lichen- is made up of a fungus and an algae that live together. • They are produced through symbiosis between fungus and an algae. • First species to colonize a new area