Biology: Characteristics of Fungi
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Questions and Answers

What is the main focus of systematics in biology?

  • The classification and nomenclature of organisms (correct)
  • The investigation of DNA sequences
  • The observation of animal behavior
  • The study of fungi
  • What is the study of fungi called?

  • Zoology
  • Microbiology
  • Mycology (correct)
  • Botany
  • Which of the following statements about fungi is true?

  • Fungi can carry out photosynthesis like plants
  • Fungi mainly feed on living organisms
  • Fungi are considered autotrophs
  • Fungi secrete enzymes to decompose organic matter (correct)
  • Which of the following habitats do fungi NOT commonly inhabit?

    <p>Deserts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the estimated number of fungi species that have yet to be discovered?

    <p>Over one million species</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do fungi primarily use for carbon sources?

    <p>Organic sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is mycelium composed of?

    <p>An aggregate of hyphae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes saprophytes?

    <p>Decomposers that consume dead organic matter</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What structure typically forms the hard wall of hyphae?

    <p>Chitin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the primary role of mycorrhizae in fungi?

    <p>Facilitating water uptake and nutrient absorption for plants</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following statements about fungi is inaccurate?

    <p>Fungi are prokaryotic organisms.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What predominantly composes the cell wall of fungi?

    <p>Cellulose and/or chitin</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which type of fungi form a beneficial association with plant roots?

    <p>Symbionts</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What do ectomycorrhizae primarily form around?

    <p>Plant roots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the mutualistic relationship within lichens primarily between?

    <p>Fungi and algae or cyanobacteria</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following terms refers to the sexual reproductive stage of a fungus?

    <p>Teleomorph</p> Signup and view all the answers

    How do fungi generally harm plants?

    <p>By infecting them and causing diseases</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is one beneficial effect of fungi mentioned?

    <p>Decomposition and nutrient recycling</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a common symptom of fungal infections in plants?

    <p>Leaf discoloration and spots</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which part of the fungus is primarily involved in nutrient absorption?

    <p>Hyphae</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following could be considered a harmful effect of fungi?

    <p>Causing allergies and diseases in humans</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Heterotrophic by Absorption

    • Fungi obtain their carbon from organic sources
    • Hyphal tips release enzymes to break down the substrate
    • Products of enzymatic breakdown are absorbed back into the hyphae

    The Characteristics of Fungi

    • Body forms
      • Unicellular
      • Filamentous (strands called hyphae)
      • Mycelium (aggregate of hyphae)
      • Sclerotium (hardened mass of mycelium for overwintering)
      • Multicellular (mycelial cords, rhizomorphs, fruit bodies)
    • Yeasts: Single-celled fungi
      • Candida
      • Saccharomyces
    • Heterotrophy
      • Saprophytes or saprobes: Feed on dead tissues or organic waste
      • Symbionts: Mutually beneficial relationship with another organism
      • Parasites: Feed on living tissue, pathogens cause disease
    • Cell wall: Composed of cellulose and/or chitin
    • Food storage: Primarily lipids and glycogen
    • Eukaryotes: True nucleus
    • Water & Oxygen requirements: All fungi require both
    • Habitat: Fungi grow in various habitats, requiring organic matter and non-extreme environments.
    • Hyphae:
      • Tubular
      • Hard wall of chitin
      • Multinucleate
      • Grow at tips

    Fungi as Saprobes and Decomposers

    • Important role in recycling nutrients and carbon

    Fungi as Symbionts (Mutualism)

    • Mycorrhizae: "Fungus roots" beneficial to both organisms
      • Fungus: Increased nutrient and water uptake for the plant
      • Plant: Carbohydrate supply for the fungus
    • Mycorrhizae are ecologically significant
      • Improve nutrient uptake by plants
      • Enhance plant growth and survival
      • Increase drought and stress tolerance

    Lichens

    • “Mutualistic” relationship involving:
      • Fungus: Provides structure
      • Alga or cyanobacterium: Provides food

    Fungi as Parasites

    • Fungi can infect plants and animals, including humans.
    • Plant infections can cause various symptoms:
      • Smuts
      • Rusts
      • Spots
      • Blights
      • Root rots
      • Seedling blights
      • Seed discoloration
      • Wilts
      • Stem rots
    • Fungi can cause a variety of symptoms in animals and humans
    • Hyphae can absorb water and nutrients, and secrete enzymes, toxins, and other substances that contribute to disease development and symptoms.

    HUMAN-FUNGUS INTERACTIONS

    • Beneficial Effects of Fungi:
      • Decomposition: Nutrient and carbon recycling
      • Biosynthetic factories: Used to produce drugs, antibiotics, alcohol, acids, foods (fermented products, mushrooms)
      • Model organisms: Biochemical and genetic studies
    • Harmful Effects of Fungi:
      • Destruction of food, lumber, paper, and cloth
      • Animal and human diseases: Allergies
      • Toxins: Poisonous mushrooms and food contamination
      • Plant diseases

    Generalized Life Cycle of a Fungus

    • Typically involves both sexual and asexual stages.
    • Sexual reproduction:
      • Production of spores
      • Fusion of gametes
      • Formation of a zygote
    • Asexual reproduction:
      • Budding, fragmentation, spore formation
      • Results in genetically identical offspring

    Terminology

    • Teleomorph: The sexual reproductive stage
      • Often a fruiting body (e.g. Morchella esculenta, Agaricus brunescens)
    • Anamorph: The asexual reproductive stage
      • Often mold-like (e.g. Aspergillus flavus, Fusarium solani)
    • Holomorph: The entire fungus, including all anamorphs and teleomorphs

    Course Information

    • Course Code: BMD-322
    • Midterm Exam: Week 6
    • Assessment percentages:
      • Midterm exam: 10%
      • Oral exam: 10%
      • Exercise-activities: 20%
      • Practical exam: 20%
      • Final exam: 40%

    Systematics in Biology:

    • Concerned with classification systems and nomenclature of organisms
    • Studies the distinctive characteristics of species and their relationships through time

    Classification:

    • The process of grouping things based on their similarities

    The word "fungus"

    • Latin origin
    • "Mycology" comes from the Greek word "mukēs," meaning "fungi"

    KINGDOM FUNGI

    • Over 100,000 species of fungi discovered
    • Estimated to be over one million undiscovered species.
    • Mycologists: People who study fungi
    • Fungi are saprotrophs: They live on dead organic matter
    • Fungi secrete digestive enzymes: Degrade organic material externally
    • Degraded compounds are absorbed by the mycelium.

    “Ecto”mycorrhizae

    • Fungal hyphae:
      • Surround the root
      • Extend between the root cells

    Lichen Internal Structure

    • Example: Lobaria
    • Symbiotic structure

    Hyphal growth from spore germination:

    • Spore germinates
    • Forms mycelium
    • The mycelium has a large surface area

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    Systematic of Fungi PDF

    Description

    Explore the fascinating world of fungi and their unique characteristics in this quiz. Test your knowledge on their body forms, nutritional strategies, and ecological roles. Dive into the nuances of heterotrophy, cell structure, and various types of fungi.

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