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