Section 5.3:Kingdom Fungi

pgs. 152-158

What are Examples of Fungi?

• Mushrooms• Toadstools• Moulds• Mildews• Yeast

Fun Fungi Facts• Fungi are all heterotrophic (cannot make their

own food)!!• The majority of fungi are multicellular; few are

unicellular• Fungi bodies are made up of hyphae – a

network of fine filaments

Mycelium

• The main bulk of a fungus is under the soil in the form of a loose, branching network of hyphae called the Mycelium

Septa

• Many types of fungi have hyphae that are divided into cells by cross walls called septa.

How Fungi Feed• Most fungi are saprophytes.• Saprophytes – break down

dead matter and play a vital role in the recycling of nutrients.

• Digestion occurs outside the body. This is called extracellular digestion.

Parasitic Fungi

• Some fungi are parasites of plants and animals.

• They feed on living cells.• They produce hyphae

called haustoria.• Haustoria penetrate host

cells without immediately killing them.

Symbiotic Fungi

• Many fungi live in symbiotic relationships with plants or animals.

• Symbiotic relationship – each organism benefits.

• Ex. Most trees have fungi living close to the their roots. Fungi’s hyphae absorb minerals from the soil and release them to the tree’s roots. Fungi benefits by absorbing sugars from the tree.

• This relationship is called mycorrhiza (Greek: mykes = fungus, rhiza = root

Fungi Reproduction

• Many have both asexual and sexual methods of reproduction.

Asexual Reproduction

Fragmentation – when pieces of the hyphae are broken off and grow new mycelia

Sexual Reproduction

Spores – reproductive cells that are windblown and help the fungi disperse to new locations.

Spores can be producedsexually (sometimesasexually)

Classifying Fungi

There are 4 phyla of Fungi:

1. Phylum Zygomycota2. Phylum Basidiomycota3. Phylum Ascomycota4. Phylum Deuteromycota

Phylum Zygomycota(Zygospore Fungi)

• Ex. Bread mould

• Mostly reproduces asexually• During sexual reproduction, they

produce zygospores• Zygospores – structures that

develop after 2 hyphae combine and fuse their nuclei together

Phylum Basidiomycota(Club Fungi)

• Include:• mushrooms that grow

on lawns• Bracket fungi on tree

trunks• Puffballs on woodland

floors

Phylum Basidiomycota(Club Fungi)

• They are short-lived structures called basidiocarps

• They produce spores called basidiospores on club-shaped hyphae called basidia

Phylum AscomycotaSac Fungi

Includes:• Powdery mildews on leaves• Truffles & morels used in

cooking• Single-celled yeasts

They have small finger-like sacs called asci, which they develop during sexual reproduction

Phylum DeuteromycotaImperfect Fungi

• Only reproduce asexually• Produce spores called conidia• Is a diverse group• Ex. Penicillium (first

produced penecillin)

Section 5.3:Review Questions

• Page 158, #’s 1-6

1. What are the characteristics of the Kingdom Fungi?

Fungi are non-photosynthetic heterotrophs with some

plant-like qualities.

2. How are fungi classified?

Fungi are classified according to their reproductive mechanisms.

3. Contrast sexual and asexual reproduction in sac fungi.

Asci and modified hyphae produce spores, but most sac fungi reproduction is sexual.

4. Describe examples of fungi that are economically important.

Many basiodiomyocotes are raised commercially for food. Deuteromycotes can be used to produce antibiotics.

5. Draw diagrams to explain what hyphae and mycelium are. Label your diagrams.

Your drawing should indicated that mycelium is a network made up of another network of smaller filaments (hyphae).

6. Your neighbour tells you that mushrooms used to grow in only one small area in the corner of the lawn, but now they grow all over the lawn. How would you explain this observation?

The original mycelium has spread throughout the yard.