Ascomycota vs Basidiomycota Fungi

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Questions and Answers

What is the role of the upper cortex in a lichen thallus?

Provides minerals for photosynthesis

Facilitates gas exchange for the algal zone

Anchors the thallus to the substrate

Protects the thallus with a layer of fungal hyphae (correct)

How does controlled infection of grapes by Botrytis cinerea differ from uncontrolled infection?

Controlled infection results in noble rot, enhancing flavor for dessert wines (correct)

Uncontrolled infection leads to green mold on grapefruit

Controlled infection reduces grape yield significantly

Uncontrolled infection produces a red ring on grape skins

Which category of drugs do penicillin and cephalosporins belong to?

Anti-inflammatory drugs

Antifungal medications

Antibiotics (correct)

Antiviral medications

What type of infections are caused by Trichophyton violaceum?

Superficial mycoses on the scalp Signup and view all the answers

Which fungal pathogen infects airways and causes symptoms similar to influenza?

Histoplasma capsulatum Signup and view all the answers

Why can't fungal infections be treated with antibiotics?

Fungi are eukaryotic cells, while antibiotics only work on prokaryotic cells Signup and view all the answers

Which fungal infection mentioned in the text can be fatal to HIV patients?

Histoplasmosis Signup and view all the answers

What is a serious challenge associated with many antifungal medications?

They have serious side effects due to similarity between eukaryotic cells Signup and view all the answers

Which species is responsible for causing root disease in conifers in Oregon?

Humungous Fungus Armillaria ostoyae Signup and view all the answers

What led to the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event according to the text?

Asteroid impact Signup and view all the answers

What is the structure that contains ascospores in Ascomycota?

Ascus Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fungi is known for causing human infections like Aspergillosis and Candidiasis?

Ascomycota Signup and view all the answers

What is the main function of antifungal medications?

Prevent fungal infections in humans Signup and view all the answers

Which fungal pathogen is responsible for causing Dutch elm disease?

Aspergillus Signup and view all the answers

In noble rot, a beneficial form of botrytis cinerea, what happens to grapes?

They develop a sweeter taste Signup and view all the answers

Which characteristic is NOT shared by fungi with plants?

Cell wall made of cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature that distinguishes septated hyphae from coenocytic hyphae in fungi?

Presence of perforations between cells in septated hyphae Signup and view all the answers

How do mycorrhizal fungi benefit plants in their relationship?

Facilitate water and nutrient absorption for plants Signup and view all the answers

Which type of reproduction in fungi involves the release of spores from a sporangium?

Both sexual and asexual reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of nutrition for fungi mentioned in the text?

Decomposing organic matter Signup and view all the answers

What is a characteristic feature of Chytridiomycota?

Possess fungi spores with flagella Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fungi forms a mutualistic relationship between hyphae and tree roots?

Glomeromycota Signup and view all the answers

In Zygomycota, what is the main method of reproduction?

Conjugation resulting in zygospores Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fungi is known for causing infections in amphibians?

Chytridiomycota Signup and view all the answers

What is a notable characteristic of Glomeromycota concerning reproduction?

Asexual reproduction dominates Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fungi Characteristics

Mostly multicellular species that prefer moist, slightly acidic environments
Contain chitin in their cell walls
Most are haploid for the majority of their life cycle
None are photosynthetic, all are heterotrophic
Vary in oxygen requirements, including obligate aerobes, obligate anaerobes, and facultative anaerobes

Cell Structure and Function

Eukaryotic cellular organization with membrane-bound nucleus
Linear DNA wrapped around histones
Complex system of internal membranes, including endoplasmic reticulum, Golgi apparatus, and mitochondria

Morphology of Multicellular Fungi

Hyphae: long, branching filamentous structures that excrete digestive enzymes and absorb nutrients
Mycelium: mass of hyphae; vegetative stage
Fruiting body: reproductive structure for dispersal of spores
Hyphae can be septated or aseptate (coenocytic)

Metabolism and Nutrition

Heterotrophic: obtain carbon and nitrogen from food
External digestion: digestion occurs before ingestion
Decomposers: break down insoluble polysaccharides into glucose
Saprophytic: nutrients from decaying organic matter
Mutualists: mycorrhizal fungi form relationships with plants, exchanging nutrients and carbohydrates

Reproduction of Fungi

Sexual and/or asexual reproduction produces spores from the sporangium
Release of spores from a sporangium at the end of a hypha called a sporangiophore

Other Roles of Fungi

Fermentation: antibiotics, medical drugs, and food production
Model organisms: genetic research
Lichen: mutualistic relationship between a fungus and an alga

Human Fungal Infections

Mycosis: disease caused by fungal infection
Many antifungal medications have serious side effects due to similarity between eukaryotic cells
Opportunistic fungal infections take advantage of compromised immune systems
Examples of human fungal infections: ringworm, superficial mycoses, Histoplasma capsulatum, and Candida

Ascomycota: Sac Fungi

Most common type of fungus
Examples: morels, truffles, baking/brewing/fermenting yeasts, Penicillium, and Candida
Ascus: sac-shaped structure that contains ascospores (sexual spores)
Conidiophore: contains conidia (asexual spores)

Basidiomycota: Club Fungi

Sexual reproduction is most common
Basidiocarp: fruiting body
Basidia: sites of sexual reproduction to produce basidiospores
Gills: connected hyphae that support the basidia

Chytridiomycota – Chytrids

Simplest and most primitive fungi
Primarily unicellular and aquatic
Parasites and saprobes, causing infection in amphibians and has caused some extinctions

Glomeromycota

Small group of species
Arbuscular mycorrhizae: mutualistic relationship between hyphae and tree roots
Only asexual reproduction

Zygomycota

Conjugated or zygote-producing fungi
Asexual reproduction is more common, producing sporangiospores
Sexual reproduction: conjugation requires two opposing mating strains (+ and -) and forms zygosporangium with zygospores

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Description

Learn about the characteristics of Ascomycota and Basidiomycota fungi. Ascomycota includes sac fungi like Morels, truffles, and Penicillium, while Basidiomycota consists of club fungi with structures like basidiocarps and basidia.