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10 1 Fungi

Fungi are heterotrophic, multicellular organisms that were originally classified in the plant kingdom but are now their own kingdom. They have mycelium below the soil surface made of filaments called hyphae with multiple nuclei per cell. Most fungi are saprophytes that feed on dead organic matter by absorbing and digesting nutrients with enzymes. Fungi play important ecological roles in breaking down organic matter, building soil, forming symbiotic relationships with plants and animals, and are used to make foods like yeast and mushrooms and products like antibiotics.

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99 views8 pages

10 1 Fungi

Fungi are heterotrophic, multicellular organisms that were originally classified in the plant kingdom but are now their own kingdom. They have mycelium below the soil surface made of filaments called hyphae with multiple nuclei per cell. Most fungi are saprophytes that feed on dead organic matter by absorbing and digesting nutrients with enzymes. Fungi play important ecological roles in breaking down organic matter, building soil, forming symbiotic relationships with plants and animals, and are used to make foods like yeast and mushrooms and products like antibiotics.

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Fungi

pp. 136 to 140

Fungi
Originally classified in
Plant Kingdom but
since they cannot
photosynthesize,
fungi were given their
own Kingdom (please
look at Venn
diagram on p. 136
may be a question
on test!!)
Heterotrophic, multicellular organisms

Structure of Fungi

Body is mycellium (just


below the surface of the
soil).
Mycellium is made up of
tiny filaments called
hyphae. It often has
many nuclei PER cell
(compared to one in
plants/animals).
Hyphae may be divided
into crosswalls or
connect with other
hyphae.
Cell wall made up of
chitin (not cellulose, like
plants)

Fungi & Feeding


Most are heterotrophic saprophytes (feed
on dead organic matter)
Mycelium absorbs nutrients from organic
matter & digests it. Nutrients are passed
through chitin cell wall into hyphae
Hyphae further digests it using enzymes

Life Cycle of a Button Mushroom


5.

6.
1.

2.
4.
3.

Human Diseases (+ Death??)


Athlete s
Foot

Ringworm
(Microsporum)
Death Cap
mushroom

Yeast
infection

Symbiotic Fungi
Some fungi have symbiotic relationships with
plants or animals in which BOTH benefit
Fungi on roots or trees = mycorrhizae (fungi gives
nutrients to plant in exchange for carbs)
Lichen = fungi gives tools to plant for
photosynthesis. In return, gets carbs.
Also important to tundra (northern) ecosystems in that
they help with soil in barren areas

Roles of Fungi
Break down dead or decaying organic
matter into molecules for other fungi and
plants to use
Break down pollutants to help ecosystem
Yeast (baking & alcohol), Penicillin
(antibiotic), Truffles and other mushroom
(food)

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