Scribd
Upload
3 views28 pages

9. FUNGI

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, ranging from mushrooms to microscopic molds and yeasts, with only a few causing diseases in humans known as mycoses. They can be classified into four groups: yeasts, yeast-like fungi, filamentous fungi, and dimorphic fungi, each with distinct characteristics and reproductive methods. Common fungal infections include superficial mycoses affecting the skin, deep mycoses primarily in immunocompromised individuals, and opportunistic mycoses that occur in those with reduced immunity.

Uploaded by

michelkechemu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
3 views28 pages

9. FUNGI

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that can be unicellular or multicellular, ranging from mushrooms to microscopic molds and yeasts, with only a few causing diseases in humans known as mycoses. They can be classified into four groups: yeasts, yeast-like fungi, filamentous fungi, and dimorphic fungi, each with distinct characteristics and reproductive methods. Common fungal infections include superficial mycoses affecting the skin, deep mycoses primarily in immunocompromised individuals, and opportunistic mycoses that occur in those with reduced immunity.

Uploaded by

michelkechemu
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 28

MICROBIOLOGY

FUNGI

COURSE LECTURER:
MAZUBA CHEELO SAMUEL
Fungi are unicellular or multicellular,
eukaryotic organisms that derive
nourishment from their liquid
environment, often by engulfment.
They range from large, macroscopic forms
such as mushrooms to microscopic moulds
and yeasts.
Only a few cause disease in humans;
some produce toxins that is occasionally
associated with poisoning.
Human infection due to fungi are called
Mycoses.

Fungi are different from viruses and


bacteria in many ways which are;
 Are larger, plant-like organisms that lack
chlorophyll
 Fungi can be very helpful in;
Brewing beer
Making bread rise

Forms of fungi
They are described as;
1. Saprophytes: those which live on
nutrients from dead plants or animals
(decayed matter) e.g. mushrooms
2. Parasites: those which depend on living
things or plants. (Living organisms) e.g.
molds and yeast.
Characteristics of fungi
The main identifying characteristic of fungi
is the cell wall made of "chitin,"
(nitrogenous substance) which is not found
in the cell walls of plants.
Most fungi are multicellular except the
yeasts.

Friday, 30 October 2020


The cells make up a network of branching
tubes known as “Hyphae," and a mass of
hyphae is called a “Mycelium."

Fungi have a true nucleus containing the


genetic material.
There are other structures called
"organelles" in the cell that help the cell to
function.
Friday, 30 October 2020
Both bacteria and fungi have ribosomes,
but those of the bacteria are smaller in size
and also reproduce differently.
Diagram of the fungi

Friday, 30 October 2020


Mitochondria (converts energy),
Friday, 30 October 2020
 Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) (makes
complex proteins),
 Golgi apparatus forms many types of
proteins and enzymes.
 Lysosomes contain enzymes and help
digest nutrients.
 Centrioles are necessary for proper
division of the cell.

Friday, 30 October 2020


Size
Varies in size
 The largest being the mushrooms which
are visible
 It is taken as food by man

Friday, 30 October 2020


 Some are microscopic under the
microscope fungi are seen as network of
bright thread or filaments

Classification of fungi
Pathogenic fungi can be classified into
morphological basis of four (4) groups.
Friday, 30 October 2020
1. Yeasts
These are oval shaped and do not develop
threads.
They are used in brewing and baking
industries.
They reproduce by budding for example;
Cryptococcus neoformans.

Friday, 30 October 2020


2. Yeast like fungi
They grow as ovoid cells; partly as yeast
with long filamentous cells or
pseudmycelium.
Example of yeast like fungi is Candida
albicans.
3. Filamentous fungi (moulds)
These grow as branching filaments or
hyphae that interlace to form a tangled
mass (mycelium).
They reproduce asexually by means of
spores which are formed on special fertile
hyphae and discharged into the air
Friday, 30 October 2020
Moulds grow in most of the objects in the
absence of sunlight, moisture, warmth and
humidity.
They are found in ordinary soils and are
called Actinomytes.
Actinomycete contributes to the breaking
down of organic waste into simple
substances to be utilized as food.

Friday, 30 October 2020


Example of mould include penicillium
notum which is a source of penicillin
antibiotics.

4. Dimorphic fungi

Friday, 30 October 2020


They are called dimorphic fungi because
they grow in tissue at temperature of 37
degrees Celsius.
They grow either a filamentous or yeast
form.
Example of dimorphic fungi include;
histoplasm.

Friday, 30 October 2020


Common fungal
Infections

Friday, 30 October 2020


1. Superficial Mycoses
These organisms affect surface layer of skin
which needs keratin as a source of nutrient.
These fungal infection affects the hair, nails
but do not invade deeper tissues.
Three different fungi cause ring worm
infection and these are;
i. Epidermophyton
ii. Microsporum
iii.Trichophyton
They spread to
produce ring like lesion
on skin called Ring
Worms or
Dermatophyte
infection or Tinea
that may include;
1. Tinea Corporis (ring worm of body),
2. Tinea Pedis (ring worm of foot or athlete's
foot)
3. Tinea Cruris (ring worm of groin, thighs &
buttocks),
4. Tinea Capitis (ring worm of scalp).
5. Tinea barbae (ring worms of beards)
Others fungus that cause superficial
infection include Candida albicans which
affects:
1. Vagina; causing Vaginal candidiasis
2. Mouth; causing Oral candidiasis
3. Intestines; causing chronic diarrhoea
2. Deep Mycoses
Infection caused by fungi that lives in soil or
decomposing matter.
They affect the subcutaneous tissue as a result
of trauma.
In man the disease is mainly in immuno
compromised patients.
They cause chronic skin ulcers or abscesses
and may spread into lymphatic system to
cause systemic infections for example
histoplasm causing histoplasmosis.
3. Opportunistic Mycoses
Is the fungal infection that occurs in individuals
with reduced immunity.
The fungi may invade the blood stream into other
organs.
Examples of opportunistic mycoses include; 1.
Candida albicans causing Candidiasis.
2. Cryptococcus neoformans usually found in
excreta of birds especially pigeons cause
Cryptococcosis or Cryptococcal meningitis.
3. Aspergillus causing Aspergillosis affecting
lungs.

You might also like