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.

Learn about the characteristics, types, and reproduction of fungi, including their eukaryotic nature, heterotrophic mode, and cell walls made of chitin.