FungiThere’s Fungus Among Us!
Characteristics
• Most are terrestrial
• Heterotrophic
• Multicellular, except yeast which is unicellular
• Cell walls are made of a polysaccharide called chitin
• Can be saprophytes or parasites
Structure
• Fungi secrete extracellular enzymes at the end of hyphae.
• A collection of hyphae is called mycelium.
• Hyphae contain spores.
Ecological Role as Decomposers • Take in decaying organic matter and break it down to smaller
inorganic molecules
Decomposition
Production Organic Molecules-Carbohydrates -Lipids-Proteins
Inorganic Molecules-Carbon Dioxide-Phosphorous -Nitrogen
Energy
Energy
Ecological Role as Decomposers
• Fungi excrete extracellular enzymes to break down organic matter into smaller pieces then they absorb.
• This is called “extracellular digestion”.
Reproduction
• Can reproduce sexually and asexually
Saccharomyces, reproduces by budding
Symbiotic Relationships• A Lichen consists of a symbiotic relationship
between a fungus (mycobiont) and unicellular cyanobacteria or algae (photobiont).
• Fungus get carbohydrates and nitrogen compounds, and in return the fungus gives cyanobacteria a place to stay and grow.
Symbiotic Relationships
• Mycorrhizae and members of the Fabaceae family (legume family)
• Mycorrhizae fixes nitrogen from the atmosphere and gives it to a bean plant, in return the bean plant gives them carbohydrates