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Questions and Answers
What is the sugar concentration in laboratory media suitable for fungi?
What is the sugar concentration in laboratory media suitable for fungi?
- 5-6%
- 3-4%
- 1-2%
- 4-5% (correct)
To which type of agents are fungi sensitive?
To which type of agents are fungi sensitive?
- Antiviral agents
- Antibacterial agents
- Antifungal agents (correct)
- Antiparasitic agents
What do fungal cell membranes consist of?
What do fungal cell membranes consist of?
- Phospholipids
- Glycoproteins
- Ergosterol (correct)
- Cholesterol
Which drugs act on ergosterol in fungal cell membranes?
Which drugs act on ergosterol in fungal cell membranes?
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What do all fungi require as a carbon source?
What do all fungi require as a carbon source?
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Which type of cell do fungi have?
Which type of cell do fungi have?
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What is the optimum pH range for fungal growth?
What is the optimum pH range for fungal growth?
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Why are fungi insensitive to penicillins?
Why are fungi insensitive to penicillins?
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What is chitin composed of?
What is chitin composed of?
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Which component of the fungal cell wall is the target of some antifungal drugs?
Which component of the fungal cell wall is the target of some antifungal drugs?
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Study Notes
Characteristics of Fungi
- All fungi are saprophytes, requiring a preformed organic source of carbon for growth.
- Fungi have a unique cell membrane composition, featuring ergosterol instead of cholesterol, which is the site of action for antifungal drugs like amphotericin B and azole group.
Physiology of Fungi
- Fungi are aerobic, requiring oxygen for their development.
- All fungi are eukaryotic, having a true nucleus, unlike bacteria which are prokaryotic.
- Fungi have an optimal pH range for growth between 3.8-5, and an optimal temperature range of 22-28°C.
Cell Wall Structure
- Fungal cell walls contain large amounts of chitin and cellulose, but do not contain peptidoglycan, making them insensitive to antibiotics like penicillins.
- Chitin is a polysaccharide composed of long chains of N-acetylglucosamine.
- The fungal cell wall also contains β-glucan, which is the site of action for some antifungal drugs.
Nutritional Requirements
- Fungi require a preformed organic source of carbon, often associated with decaying matter.
- Sugars are concentrated in laboratory media at 4-5% (compared to 1.5% for bacteria).
Antibiotic Sensitivity
- Fungi are sensitive to antifungal agents only, and are not affected by antibiotics that target bacterial cell walls.
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