16 Questions
What is the primary way that fungi obtain their nutrients?
Extracellular digestion
What is the main function of hyphae in fungi?
To form a network of fine filaments that make up the body of the fungus
What is the purpose of a zygospore in fungi?
To protect the fungus from unfavourable conditions
What is the type of reproduction that fungi use in unfavourable conditions?
Sexual reproduction
What is the term for the branching network of hyphae that grow together underground?
Mycelium
Which of the following is an example of a fungus?
Mushroom
How do fungi classify?
By how they reproduce
What is the purpose of fungal spores?
To facilitate asexual reproduction
What is the main component of the cell wall of fungi?
Chitin
Which of the following characteristics is NOT unique to fungi?
Multicellular
What is the primary function of fungal enzymes?
Breaking down organic matter
What is the term for the process of fragmentation in fungi?
Mycelium fragmentation
Which type of fungi is characterized by the production of zygospores?
Zygospore fungi
What is the purpose of the thick spore wall in zygospores?
To protect the spore from unfavourable conditions
What is the current method used to classify fungi?
DNA analysis
Which type of fungi is characterized by the absence of a sexual phase?
Imperfect fungi
Study Notes
Fungi Characteristics
- Cell wall made of chitin
- Eukaryotic
- Mostly multicellular, except for yeast which is unicellular
- Classified by how they reproduce
- Heterotrophs, obtaining nutrients by extracellular digestion
Fungi Structure
- Multicellular, composed of two main parts:
- Hyphae: fine filaments that make up the body of the fungi
- Mycelium: a branching network of hyphae growing together underground
Reproduction
- Most fungi alternate between sexual and asexual reproduction
- Two types of asexual reproduction:
- Spores: windblown reproductive cells produced by mitosis
- Fragmentation: pieces of hyphae break off and grow into new mycelia
- Sexual reproduction: used in unfavorable conditions, produces genetically diverse spores
- Sexual spore formation: two haploid hyphae of opposite types combine to form a diploid zygospore
Fungi Classification
- Four major groups of fungi, separated by reproductive factors:
- Zygomycota (bread mould)
- Basidiomycota (mushrooms)
- Ascomycota (truffles, powdery mildew, single-celled yeast)
- Imperfect fungi (cheese moulds, penicillin mould)
Fungi Functions
- Single most important function: helping to recycle nutrients
- Decomposers in the carbon and nitrogen cycles
Fungi Characteristics
- Cell wall made of chitin
- Eukaryotic
- Mostly multicellular, except for yeast which is unicellular
- Classified by how they reproduce
- Heterotrophs, obtaining nutrients by extracellular digestion
Fungi Structure
- Multicellular, composed of two main parts:
- Hyphae: fine filaments that make up the body of the fungi
- Mycelium: a branching network of hyphae growing together underground
Reproduction
- Most fungi alternate between sexual and asexual reproduction
- Two types of asexual reproduction:
- Spores: windblown reproductive cells produced by mitosis
- Fragmentation: pieces of hyphae break off and grow into new mycelia
- Sexual reproduction: used in unfavorable conditions, produces genetically diverse spores
- Sexual spore formation: two haploid hyphae of opposite types combine to form a diploid zygospore
Fungi Classification
- Four major groups of fungi, separated by reproductive factors:
- Zygomycota (bread mould)
- Basidiomycota (mushrooms)
- Ascomycota (truffles, powdery mildew, single-celled yeast)
- Imperfect fungi (cheese moulds, penicillin mould)
Fungi Functions
- Single most important function: helping to recycle nutrients
- Decomposers in the carbon and nitrogen cycles
Learn about the characteristics of fungi, such as cell wall composition, cellular structure, and nutrition, as well as their role as decomposers in the environment.
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