Fungi

Chitin and glycogen

complex glucose polymer; reinforces cell walls in fungi

yeasts

mycelium (underground) to feed and reproductive structure aboveground

filaments that make up mycelium and reproductive structures. nutrients abo

filaments are divided into cells by septa (crosswalks) septa have pores.

cells are not divided & multinucleate

high surface to volume ratio, but prone to water loss. so live in moist enivornments

Fungi do not ingest food. secrete digestive enzymes onto food, absorb nutrients. main decomposers in terrestrial environments

organisms that derive nutrition via absorption of dead plant matter. many of fungi are.

some fungi digest lignin that animals can’t digest.

ome fungi digest cellulose that animals can’t digest.

Fungi break down dead trees and speed up cycle

mutualistic relationship between fungi and plant roots. fungi give nitrogen and phosphorous to plants, get carbs back.

important to early land colonization for plants and fungi. plant genes required for mycorrhizal relationships present in all plant lineages.

common ancestor with genes for symbiotic mycorrhizae relationship

fungus living in association with green alga or cyanobacteria. fungus prevents desiccation of alga and get carbs in return

extremely important in soil formation because they can colonize and weather rock. could have helped plants colonize land, fossil record of 420 mya.

plants and animals. cordyceps (THE LAST OF USSSS) and corn smut.

asexual and sexual reproduction. only a brief portion of the lifecycle is diploid.

fusion of cytoplasm of 2 different mating types

fusion of nuclei

key dispersal stage in fungal lifecycle. produced asexually and sexually

asexual spores

zygosporangium (sexual). forms by plasmogamy, when different mating strains join.

black bread mold. zygomycota

sexual structures = basidium (club)

mushrooms are aboveground reproductive structures

gills are lined with basidia on which basidiospores are made via meiosis.

sexual structure is an ascus. found on multicellular species such as penicillium and truffles.

unicellular ascomycete

only fungi with motile cell. haploid gametes (spores) that move via flagella

largely aquatic, FW environments and wet soils. some parasitic, like chytridiomycosis.

form most mycorrhizae

pathogenic, human disease, destruction of food supply. we eat fungi and antibiotics from them

provide plant nutrition (mycorrhizae), nutrient cycling via decomposition (carbon cycle).