Fungi Kingdom Flashcards

Questions and Answers

Are fungi prokaryotic or eukaryotic?

Eukaryotic cell structure

The cell walls of fungi are composed of what chemical compound?

Chitin

What is the nutritional strategy in fungi?

Absorptive mode of nutrition

Chitin is a polymer composed of what monomer?

Glucosamine Signup and view all the answers

The largest part of fungi is called what?

Hyphae and mycelia Signup and view all the answers

How would you distinguish between septate and aseptate fungi?

Septate fungi have pores; aseptate fungi have continuous cytoplasm. Signup and view all the answers

What is one of the oldest and largest fungal species?

Oyster Fungus Signup and view all the answers

What are the ecological roles of fungi?

Decomposers Signup and view all the answers

A lichen is an organism that is the symbiotic product of what 2 organisms?

Fungus and Algae Signup and view all the answers

What are the ecological roles of lichen?

Food and habitat Signup and view all the answers

What is a fungivore?

Animals that eat fungi Signup and view all the answers

Describe the mutualistic symbiosis between leaf cutting ants and their food fungus.

Ants cultivate fungus in their nests, providing care and fertilizer, while they consume the fungus. Signup and view all the answers

How do some fungi prey on nematodes?

By producing loops that ensnare nematodes. Signup and view all the answers

How does the fungus, Cordyceps, brainwash its host and alter the host's behavior?

It consumes the host's organs and alters its behavior to facilitate spore dispersal. Signup and view all the answers

What fungus has led to massive mortality in amphibians?

Chytrid fungus Signup and view all the answers

What percentage of plant diseases are caused by fungi?

80% Signup and view all the answers

What beneficial fungus lives in plant tissues, and how does this fungus benefit the plant?

Endophytic fungi; they produce anti-herbivore compounds. Signup and view all the answers

Distinguish between endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.

Ectomycorrhizae form a sheath around roots; endomycorrhizae penetrate root cell walls. Signup and view all the answers

What are the beneficial and negative roles of fungi?

Beneficial: food, antibiotic production. Negative: some are parasites causing diseases. Signup and view all the answers

What are the symptoms of ergot of rye?

Gangrene, burning sensations, hallucinations. Signup and view all the answers

How did ergot influence human history?

It caused hallucinations linked to the Salem Witch Trials. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fungi Kingdom Overview

Fungi belong to the Eukarya domain and exhibit a eukaryotic cell structure.
Cell walls are composed of chitin, a polymer made from glucosamine monomers, which contain glucose and amino groups.

Nutritional Strategy

Fungi utilize an absorptive mode of nutrition by secreting powerful enzymes that digest organic materials outside their bodies.

Structural Characteristics

The largest part of most fungi is mycelia, which consist of invisible hyphae found in soil or organic matter.
Fungi can be categorized based on septation: septate fungi have pores that facilitate the flow of cellular components, while aseptate (coenocytic) fungi lack septa and have a continuous cytoplasm.

Ecological Importance

Fungi are critical decomposers, breaking down organic matter such as dead plants and animals in diverse biomes and aquatic environments.
Lichens, symbiotic associations of fungi and algae, provide food and habitat for various organisms.

Fungal Interactions

Fungivores are animals that feed on fungi, emphasizing their role in food chains.
Leaf-cutting ants engage in mutualistic relationships with fungi, relying on these fungi for food while providing structural support and enhanced growth conditions through their secretions.

Parasitic Fungi

Some fungi utilize predatory strategies, such as producing loops to ensnare nematodes for nutrients.
Cordyceps fungi manipulate insect behaviors to facilitate their reproductive strategies.

Pathogenic Fungi

Chytrid fungus is a significant threat to amphibian populations, contributing to global extinctions and is resilient to UV light.
About 80% of plant diseases are caused by fungi, with the remaining 20% attributed to bacteria, viruses, and nematodes.

Beneficial Fungi

Endophytic fungi reside within plant tissues and produce compounds to deter herbivores, while also enhancing plant resilience to environmental stresses.
Ectomycorrhizae envelop roots with hyphal sheaths, while endomycorrhizae penetrate root cell walls without affecting the cytoplasm.

Human Relevance

Fungi have both beneficial and harmful implications: they are sources of food, yeast for fermentation, and antibiotics but can also be parasites causing diseases (mycosis) in humans and animals.
Ergot of rye, a fungal parasite, can cause ergotism, leading to symptoms like gangrene and hallucinations, and historical influences such as the Salem Witch Trials.

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Description

Test your knowledge of the Fungi Kingdom within the Eukarya domain with these informative flashcards. Each card covers key concepts such as cell structure, chemical composition, and nutritional strategies of fungi. Perfect for biology students looking to enhance their understanding of this unique group of organisms.