Biology: Characteristics of Fungi

Characteristics of Fungi

• Eukaryotic organisms
• Non-motile
• Heterotrophic (obtain energy by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships)
• Cell walls composed of chitin

Types of Fungi

• Mold: multi-cellular, filamentous fungi (e.g., bread mold)
• Yeast: single-celled fungi (e.g., baker's yeast, Candida)
• Mushroom-forming fungi: produce fruiting bodies (e.g., button mushrooms, morels)

Fungal Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction: produce spores through mitosis (e.g., budding in yeast)
• Sexual reproduction: produce spores through meiosis (e.g., in mushroom-forming fungi)

Fungal Nutrition

• Saprotrophic: obtain energy by decomposing organic matter (e.g., mushrooms, mold)
• Parasitic: obtain energy by infecting and feeding on living organisms (e.g., fungal pathogens)
• Mutualistic: form symbiotic relationships with other organisms (e.g., mycorrhizal fungi with plant roots)

Ecological Roles of Fungi

• Decomposers: break down organic matter, recycling nutrients
• Symbionts: form relationships with plants, contributing to nutrient uptake and defense
• Pathogens: cause disease in plants and animals

Characteristics of Fungi

• Fungi are eukaryotic organisms, meaning their cells have a true nucleus and membrane-bound organelles.
• They are non-motile, meaning they cannot move on their own.
• Fungi are heterotrophic, obtaining energy by decomposing organic matter or forming symbiotic relationships.
• Fungal cell walls are composed of chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural support and protection.

Types of Fungi

• Mold is a type of fungi characterized by its multi-cellular, filamentous structure, often found on decaying organic matter like bread.
• Yeast is a single-celled fungus, commonly used in baking and brewing, and also found in human gut flora.
• Mushroom-forming fungi produce fruiting bodies, such as button mushrooms and morels, which are used for reproduction.

Fungal Reproduction

• Asexual reproduction in fungi occurs through mitosis, producing spores that can grow into new individuals, as seen in yeast budding.
• Sexual reproduction in fungi involves meiosis, producing spores that contain genetic material from two parents, as seen in mushroom-forming fungi.

Fungal Nutrition

• Saprotrophic fungi obtain energy by decomposing organic matter, releasing nutrients back into the environment.
• Parasitic fungi infect and feed on living organisms, such as fungal pathogens that cause disease in plants and animals.
• Mutualistic fungi form symbiotic relationships with other organisms, such as mycorrhizal fungi that assist plant roots in nutrient uptake.

Ecological Roles of Fungi

• Decomposer fungi break down organic matter, recycling nutrients and facilitating ecosystem nutrient cycling.
• Symbiotic fungi form relationships with plants, contributing to nutrient uptake and defense against pathogens.
• Pathogenic fungi cause disease in plants and animals, having significant impacts on ecosystem health and productivity.