KINGDOM FUNGI

Fungus…

What are they? How many are there?

Where do we find them? Why do they exist? What do they do? How are they important? How are they different?

Why? How do they reproduce?

Survive?

Phylogeny of Fungus

Which kingdom is more closely related to fungi?

Why do you think so?

Kingdom Fungi

Eukaryote >100 000 species

identified Few unicellular, majority

multi-cellular Similar to plants, but no

chlorophyll Heterotrophic – absorb

external nutrients (osmotrophic)

Important for ecosystems as breakdown organic matter and recycle nutrients

Structure of Fungi

Uni-Cellular (i.e. yeasts) - have individual ovoid / cylindrical cells

Multi-Cellular (majority) – structurally diverse, but general shape

Structure of Multi-Cellular Fungus

Body form diverse, but general shape

Above ground; edible; “fruiting body” of fungus

Underground network; body of fungus

Fungal Structure

Hyphae form the “fuzz” often associated with mould.

Also form reproductive structures of many fungi.

Hyphae grow at their tips, nuclei multiply by mitosis.

Mycelium forms body of fungus below ground.

Structure of Multi-Cellular Fungus

Hyphae: threadlike tubes that produce enzymes

for digestion.

Reproductive Structure: produces

tiny cells called spores.

The morphology strives to enhance their ability to absorb nutrients from their surroundings

20 mm

Mycelium

Fungal Nutrition

Release digestive enzymes to break down food externally, then absorb nutrients

4 methods of nutrient uptake: Parasitic Predatory Mutualistic Saprobic

Fungal Nutrition

Parasitic Fungi

∼30% known parasitic (mostly on/ in plants) Some release toxic chemicals called

neurotoxins; result in poisoning or death Examples:

Ergots Tar spot fungus

Corn smut Cordyceps fungus growing through its host’s body

Mutualistic Fungi

>80% of all land plants have this relationship with fungi

Receive energy (carbohydrates) directly from a plant

Examples: mycorrhizal fungi (grows in and around plant roots) Plant provides carbohydrates (glucose)

Fungi provides minerals (P,K, N) & water from the soil.

Mycorrhizal fungi

Saprobic (Decomposers)

breakdown complex molecules into sugars or consume sugars found in environment

Examples:

common bread mold (eats carbs in bread)

shelf fungi on logs (eats carbs in cell wall of wood)

white button mushrooms in store (eats sugars and cellulose in dung)

Saprobic (Decomposers)

(a) Fly agaric, common species in conifer forests in the N. hemisphere

(b) Maiden veil fungus (Dictyphora) - odor like rotting meat

(c) Shelf fungi, important decomposers of wood

(d) Puffballs emitting spores

Fungal Reproduction

Complicated; some involved both stages of asexual and sexual.

Asexual Sporulation (spores) Budding (smaller cell

develops while attached to parent

Fragmentation (piece of mycelium break off and forms new individual)

In fungi, most nuclei are haploid (single set of chromosomes)

Fungal Reproduction

Sexual Use of fruiting

bodies, which differ

4 phyla of fungi that reproduce sexually

Fungi Kingdom

There are five different phylain the Kingdom Fungi

Lichens

Composite organism depends on 2-way relationship Fungus + photosynthetic organism (e.g.

cyanobacteria, unicellular green algae)

Lichens

Can occur in harsh environments (tundra, deserts, rocky coasts), also in rain forest, temperate woodlands and bare rock

Important food source Vulnerable to environmental

disturbance, ∴ used to assess effects of pollution

Other uses: dyes, perfumes, litmus paper

Why are Fungi Important?

Important food source and in food processing Yeast Beer and Wine Bread Mushrooms White button,

crimini,portabella Truffles, chanterelles Mycoprotein Fermented tofu/bean curd

Cheese (ripening-outide, given inside flavour) e.g. Blue cheese Soy sauce, Tempeh Citric acid (soft drinks) Flavours (menthol, tarpenes)

Why are Fungi Important?

Assist in plant growth and decomposition to cycle nutrients in the biosphere.

Can breakdown lignin and cellulose

Why are Fungi Important?

Cause variety of plant, animal and human diseases Respiratory diseases, fungal infection Potato famine, black mould

Oral Yeast Infection Athletes foot

Penicillium

Phytophthora infestans

Why are Fungi Important?

WWI, bacterial infections killed more soldiers than bullets.

1928 Dr. Andrew Fleming working at St. Mary’s Hospital in London noticed that mold growing on staph bacterial culture plates had killed the pathogen

zone of dead bacteria

Penicillin

Why are Fungi Important?

Penicillin kills bacteria by interfering with their ability to synthesize cell wall.

Produce antibiotics to fight off bacterial infections