THE FUNGUS AMONG US

KINGDOM FUNGI

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms– Club: Typical

shape of “mushroom,” with spores on gills

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms– Club– Cup: Spores

are in cup instead of gills

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms• Molds

– Often found on food and decaying plant material

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms

• Molds

• Yeasts– Unicellular

fungi, reproduces by budding

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms• Molds• Yeast

• Lichens– Grow on rocks

and wood, a combination of a fungus and cyanobacteria

CAP SCALES

RING (ANNULUS)GILLS

CUP (VOLVA)

STALK (STIPE)

MYCELLIUM (HYPHAE)

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap

Spore Cell that develops into a new organism

Hyphae Threadlike structure built of fungal cells

Mycellium Body of fungus (except spores) made of tangled hyphae

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Decomposition

– Organic material is recycled by bacteria and fungi. It is broken down into its original components like Carbon and Nitrogen

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Decomposition

– Example: Pilobolus fungi decomposes dung of grazing animals. Unique for its ability to “aim” at the light and “shoot” its spore packet so it will land on grass and be eaten by another grazing animal. The entire life cycle is then repeated

Pilobolus

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Symbiosis

• Mycorrhizal Fungi: Symbiotic fungi that live in or around roots of plants. They get food (sugar) from the plant in exchange for water and nutrients

• It is estimated that 99.9% of all plants have a fungal partner

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Benefits of a Fungal Partner

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Pathogens

• Some fungi are parasitic, causing damage or death to plants, animals, and even other fungi

• Can cause severe damage to many crop plants including corn, wheat, potatoes, and fruits

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

ROLES OF FUNGI:Medicines

– Penicillin: Alexander Fleming discovered that mold could kill bacteria in 1928. During WWII (1940’s) the drug we know today was developed

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Food

– Several Mushrooms are used in our food

– Specialty Cheeses like Blue Cheese, Brie, etc.

– Bread, Beer, and Wine are made with yeast