Biology 109, Chapter 31: Fungi Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Fungi are heterotrophs and absorb nutrients from outside of their bodies.

True

Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes that include only yeast and molds.

False

Why are fungi essential for the well-being of most terrestrial ecosystems?

Because they break down organic material and recycle vital nutrients.

What is the largest organism on earth?

Armillaria ostoyae Signup and view all the answers

What are the characteristics of fungi?

Fungi are unicellular or multicellular, can be found in terrestrial or aquatic habitats, reproduce asexually or sexually, and are more closely related to animals than to plants. Signup and view all the answers

What is one key trait of all fungi?

The way they derive their nutrition. Signup and view all the answers

Fungi are autotrophs and absorb nutrients from outside of their bodies.

False Signup and view all the answers

What do fungi use to break down a large variety of complex molecules?

Exoenzymes Signup and view all the answers

What are the functions of fungi?

<ol> <li>Decomposers (saprobes), 2. Parasites, 3. Mutualists.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What are the most common body structures of fungi?

Hyphae and Yeasts. Signup and view all the answers

Some fungal species grow as either filaments or yeasts; others grow as both.

True Signup and view all the answers

The morphology of multicellular fungi does not enhance their ability to absorb nutrients.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is mycelia?

An interconnected mass of hyphae adapted for absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What makes up fungal cell walls?

Chitin. Signup and view all the answers

What do septa do in fungi?

Divide a hypha into cells. Signup and view all the answers

What do pores in septa allow?

Nutrients and other cell contents to flow between cells. Signup and view all the answers

What are coenocytic fungi?

Fungi that lack septa and have a continuous cytoplasmic mass with hundreds or thousands of nuclei. Signup and view all the answers

Nutrients absorbed by the hyphae can flow throughout the mycelium in both coenocytic hyphae and septate hyphae.

True Signup and view all the answers

What forms can fungal cells take?

Monokaryotic, Dikaryotic, and Multinucleate. Signup and view all the answers

Where do mycelia release digestive enzymes?

In the surroundings. Signup and view all the answers

What process do basidia use to produce spores?

Meiosis. Signup and view all the answers

What are basidia?

Hyphae that generate in the gills of mushrooms that produce spores. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the fusion of cytoplasm from two individuals?

Plasmogamy. Signup and view all the answers

Mycelium is directly involved in the reproduction of at least one major group of fungi.

False Signup and view all the answers

In most fungi, fertilization is a two-step process consisting of the fusion of cells and then the fusion of nuclei in the fused cells.

True Signup and view all the answers

Where does meiosis occur in a mushroom?

Basidia. Signup and view all the answers

What event occurs first in the development of a spore into a mature mushroom?

The spore undergoes mitosis to produce hyphae. Signup and view all the answers

Most of the cells in a mushroom contain diploid nuclei.

False Signup and view all the answers

What is a key difference between fungi and plants?

Fungi are heterotrophic, and plants are autotrophic. Signup and view all the answers

How do fungi obtain nutrients?

Through absorption. Signup and view all the answers

What are mycorrhizae?

Mutually beneficial relationships between fungi and plant roots. Signup and view all the answers

What do mycorrhizal fungi deliver to plants, and what do the plants provide the fungi?

<ol> <li>Phosphates and minerals, 2. Carbohydrates.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Most vascular plants have mycorrhizae.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are ectomycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae that form sheaths around the root and grow into the extracellular spaces of the root cortex. Signup and view all the answers

What are arbuscular mycorrhizae?

Mycorrhizae that extend hyphae through the cell walls of root cells and into tubes formed by invagination of the root cell membrane. Signup and view all the answers

Fungal cells are normally haploid, except when transient diploid stages form during the sexual life cycle.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are pheromones in fungi?

Signaling molecules that are released to detect different mating types. Signup and view all the answers

What is a heterokaryon?

A condition where haploid nuclei from each parent coexist in the mycelium. Signup and view all the answers

What does dikaryotic mean?

In some fungi, the haploid nuclei pair off two to a cell. Signup and view all the answers

What is karyogamy?

Fusion of nuclei, resulting in a diploid cell. Signup and view all the answers

Molds are filamentous fungi that produce diploid spores and form visible mycelia.

False Signup and view all the answers

Yeasts do not produce spores. Instead, they undergo budding.

True Signup and view all the answers

What are deuteromycetes?

Many molds and yeasts that are known to have no sexual stage. Signup and view all the answers

What are the reasons for why fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants?

<ol> <li>Fungi are heterotrophs, Plants are autotrophs; 2. Fungi store excess glucose as glycogen, Plants store glucose as starch; 3. Fungal cells are made of chitin, Plants' cell walls are cellulose.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Fungi, animals, and their protistan relatives are in the supergroup and the clade .

<ol> <li>Unikonta, 2. Opisthokonta.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

DNA evidence suggests that fungi are most closely related to unicellular protists called _ and animals are most closely related to unicellular protists called .

<ol> <li>Nucleariids, 2. Choanoflagellates.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Phylum (common name): Basidiomycota:

<ol> <li>Basidiospores, sexual; 2. Basidiocarp fruiting body (mushrooms); 3. Most edible mushrooms, common button mushroom.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Phylum: Ascomycota:

<ol> <li>Conidiospores - asexual, ascus with spores - sexual; 2. Ascocarp fruiting body (mushroom), yeasts, molds; 3. Morel mushroom, cup fungus.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Phylum: Glomeromycota:

<ol> <li>Spores - asexual; 2. Arbuscules, symbiotic with plants; 3. Glomerales.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Phylum: Zygomycota:

<ol> <li>Zygospores - sexual, Sporangiospores - asexual; 2. Sporangia, gametangia, saprotrophic; 3. Black bread mold.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

Phylum: Chytridiomycota:

<ol> <li>Zoospores with flagella - most asexual; 2. Single-celled, simplest fungi, aquatic; 3. Chytriomyces hylanius.</li> </ol> Signup and view all the answers

What is a lichen?

A mutualistic association between a photosynthetic microorganism and a fungus. Signup and view all the answers

What does the fungus give to the lichen?

Its overall shape and structure, most of its mass, a suitable growth environment, and increased surface area for the uptake of gases, water, and minerals. Signup and view all the answers

What does the photosynthetic partner give to the lichen?

Carbon compounds, fixed nitrogen, and nitrogen compounds. Signup and view all the answers

What are endophytes?

Fungi that exist inside plants and create mutual relationships by making toxins against herbivores and pathogens. Signup and view all the answers

What is mycosis?

Fungal infection in animals. Signup and view all the answers

What are practical uses of fungi?

Food and antibiotics. Signup and view all the answers

What is ergotism?

A condition caused by Claviceps purpurea characterized by nervous spasms, burning sensations, hallucinations, and temporary insanity. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fungi Overview

Fungi are heterotrophs and absorb nutrients from their surroundings.
They include yeast, molds, and mushrooms, making them diverse eukaryotic organisms.

Ecological Importance

Act as decomposers, breaking down organic material and recycling nutrients vital for terrestrial ecosystems.

Largest Organism

Armillaria ostoyae in Oregon is the largest known organism, covering approximately 2000 acres and estimated to be around 2000 years old.

Fungal Characteristics

Fungi can be unicellular (yeasts) or multicellular (molds and mushrooms) and inhabit terrestrial or aquatic environments.
Reproduction occurs both sexually and asexually, with closer genetic ties to animals than plants.

Key Nutritional Traits

Fungi utilize exoenzymes to decompose complex molecules into smaller organic compounds.

Fungal Roles

Play multiple roles:
- Decomposers (saprobes)
- Parasites
- Mutualists

Body Structure

Mycelia are formed from hyphae (multicellular filaments) and maximize surface area for absorption.
Cell walls consist of chitin, functioning as a protective layer.

Hyphal Structure

Hyphae can be septate (divided by septa) or coenocytic (lacking septa).
Pores in septa allow nutrient and cell content flow between cells.

Fungal Cell Types

Monokaryotic (one nucleus), dikaryotic (two nuclei), and multinucleate cells (multiple nuclei due to incomplete division).

Digestion and Spores

Fungi release digestive enzymes into their environment to decompose organic material.
Basidia, located in mushroom gills, produce spores via meiosis.

Reproductive Processes

Plasmogamy is the cytoplasmic fusion process, followed by karyogamy, where nuclei fuse, resulting in a diploid stage.
Mycelium itself does not directly participate in reproduction.

Mycorrhizae

Symbiotic relationships between fungi and plant roots, facilitating nutrient exchange; plants provide carbohydrates, while fungi deliver phosphates and minerals.

Types of Mycorrhizae

Ectomycorrhizae form sheaths around roots, while arbuscular mycorrhizae penetrate root cell walls.

Fungal Life Cycle

Most fungi exist primarily as haploid cells, with diploid cells forming only transiently during reproduction.
Pheromones help detect mating types, facilitating sexual reproduction.

Key Fungal Phyla

Basidiomycota (club fungi): Key features include basidiospores and basidiocarps like mushrooms.
Ascomycota (sac fungi): Known for producing conidiospores asexually and forming ascocarps.
Glomeromycota (AM fungi): Form arbuscules associated with plant symbiosis.
Zygomycota (zygospore fungi): Produce zygospores and are commonly found in decaying organic matter.
Chytridiomycota (chytrid fungi): Simplest fungi with flagellated spores and aquatic habitat.

Lichens and Endophytes

Lichens are mutualistic associations between fungi and photosynthetic organisms; fungi provide structure and protection, while partners provide nutrients.
Endophytes exist within plants, offering defensive toxins against herbivores and pathogens.

Human Impact and Uses

Fungi are pivotal in food production and antibiotics development.
Fungal infections in animals are termed mycosis, with conditions like ergotism caused by toxins from Claviceps purpurea impacting human health.

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Test your knowledge on fungi with these flashcards from Biology 109, Chapter 31. Explore the unique characteristics of fungi, their role in ecosystems, and common misconceptions. This quiz is designed to help reinforce your understanding of fungal biology.

Biology 109, Chapter 31: Fungi Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Fungi are heterotrophs and absorb nutrients from outside of their bodies.

Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotes that include only yeast and molds.

Why are fungi essential for the well-being of most terrestrial ecosystems?

What is the largest organism on earth?

What are the characteristics of fungi?

What is one key trait of all fungi?

Fungi are autotrophs and absorb nutrients from outside of their bodies.

What do fungi use to break down a large variety of complex molecules?

What are the functions of fungi?

What are the most common body structures of fungi?

Some fungal species grow as either filaments or yeasts; others grow as both.

The morphology of multicellular fungi does not enhance their ability to absorb nutrients.

What is mycelia?

What makes up fungal cell walls?

What do septa do in fungi?

What do pores in septa allow?

What are coenocytic fungi?

Nutrients absorbed by the hyphae can flow throughout the mycelium in both coenocytic hyphae and septate hyphae.

What forms can fungal cells take?

Where do mycelia release digestive enzymes?

What process do basidia use to produce spores?

What are basidia?

What term describes the fusion of cytoplasm from two individuals?

Mycelium is directly involved in the reproduction of at least one major group of fungi.

In most fungi, fertilization is a two-step process consisting of the fusion of cells and then the fusion of nuclei in the fused cells.

Where does meiosis occur in a mushroom?

What event occurs first in the development of a spore into a mature mushroom?

Most of the cells in a mushroom contain diploid nuclei.

What is a key difference between fungi and plants?

How do fungi obtain nutrients?

What are mycorrhizae?

What do mycorrhizal fungi deliver to plants, and what do the plants provide the fungi?

Most vascular plants have mycorrhizae.

What are ectomycorrhizae?

What are arbuscular mycorrhizae?

Fungal cells are normally haploid, except when transient diploid stages form during the sexual life cycle.

What are pheromones in fungi?

What is a heterokaryon?

What does dikaryotic mean?

What is karyogamy?

Molds are filamentous fungi that produce diploid spores and form visible mycelia.

Yeasts do not produce spores. Instead, they undergo budding.

What are deuteromycetes?

What are the reasons for why fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants?

Fungi, animals, and their protistan relatives are in the supergroup ____________ and the clade ____________.

DNA evidence suggests that fungi are most closely related to unicellular protists called _______ and animals are most closely related to unicellular protists called ______.

Phylum (common name): Basidiomycota:

Phylum: Ascomycota:

Phylum: Glomeromycota:

Phylum: Zygomycota:

Phylum: Chytridiomycota:

What is a lichen?

What does the fungus give to the lichen?

What does the photosynthetic partner give to the lichen?

What are endophytes?

What is mycosis?

What are practical uses of fungi?

What is ergotism?

Study Notes

Fungi Overview

Ecological Importance

Largest Organism

Fungal Characteristics

Key Nutritional Traits

Fungal Roles

Body Structure

Hyphal Structure

Fungal Cell Types

Digestion and Spores

Reproductive Processes

Mycorrhizae

Types of Mycorrhizae

Fungal Life Cycle

Key Fungal Phyla

Lichens and Endophytes

Human Impact and Uses

Fungi, animals, and their protistan relatives are in the supergroup and the clade .

DNA evidence suggests that fungi are most closely related to unicellular protists called _ and animals are most closely related to unicellular protists called .