Fungi Overview and Cell Biology

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Questions and Answers

What percentage range of plant-based cellulose materials is composed of lignin?

5-10%

30-50%

1-5%

10-30% (correct)

Which of the following is a white-rot fungus known for its ability to break down lignin?

Aspergillus niger

Penicillium roqueforti

Phanerochaete chrysosporium (correct)

Gymnosporangium asiaticum

What environmental factors are most significant for the decomposition of lignin by white-rot fungi?

Low nitrogen, high moisture, and high temperatures

High acidity, low humidity, and cold temperatures

Adequate nitrogen, moisture, and temperature (correct)

Low oxygen, high salinity, and neutral temperature

Under what conditions was an increase in anaerobic digestibility of barley straw reported, after treatment with white-rot fungi?

3-4 week aerobic incubations at 30°C (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for fungi that cause infectious diseases?

Parasitic fungi (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are virulence factors, in the context of fungal pathogens?

Factors that facilitate disease progression (D) Signup and view all the answers

What effect does Gymnosporangium asiaticum infection have on plant metabolism?

Decreases available sugars and dampens repair (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of alkaloids produced by some endophytes within a plant?

To make the plant resistant to insect predation (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of fungal fruiting bodies?

To spread spores through wind or animal contact. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the remarkable ability exhibited by 'Cordyceps' fungi?

The ability to alter or modify the behavior of their animal hosts. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental characteristic that classifies fungi as eukaryotic organisms?

Their basic cellular structure that aligns with plants and animals. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the method of nutrition for the majority of fungi mentioned in the text?

Parasitic, living on and harming a host organism for nutrients. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the origin of fungal fruiting bodies?

They originate from hyphae breaking through the plant's bark. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the method of reproduction for Candida albicans?

Budding, where a new cell grows as an outgrowth of the parent cell. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What term best describes the relationship of Candida albicans with the human body when it does not cause disease?

Commensal, where it lives in the body without causing harm. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a common manifestation of a Candida albicans overgrowth?

Oral candidiasis (Thrush) (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the fundamental structural unit of filamentous fungi?

Hyphum (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the structure of a hyphum?

Long, cylindrical-like multicellular structures (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures is unique to filamentous fungi?

Septa (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the relationship between septa and hyphae?

Septa divide hyphae into individual cells. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Conidia are a type of:

Unicellular spore (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a typical method of growth for fungi?

Binary fission (A) Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic was used to identify the clonal colony of Armillaria solidipes in the Oregon forest?

Observation of mycelial fusion (C) Signup and view all the answers

The Armillaria solidipes fungus found in Oregon is notable for its:

Extensive subterranean network and large size (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic that distinguishes filamentous fungi from yeasts?

Filamentous fungi have a thread-like structure, while yeasts are typically single-celled. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of these statements is correct regarding Candida albicans?

It is part of the normal human flora, but can cause disease under certain conditions. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Based on the content, what is the primary role of saprophytic fungi in an ecosystem?

To break down dead organic matter, acting as decomposers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following fungi is responsible for the potato blight disease?

Phytophthora infestans (A) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary mode of transmission for Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis?

Through fungal spores coming into contact with susceptible frog skin (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of the enzyme ligninase, produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium?

To break down lignin, a complex component of wood (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes hyphae?

Branching filaments that constitute the mycelium of a fungus. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fungi does the common edible mushroom, Agaricus spp., belong to?

Basidiomycetes (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a characteristic of the fungi mentioned in the text?

They can exhibit both commensal and pathogenic behaviors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a yeast species?

Saccharomyces cerevisiae (D) Signup and view all the answers

What does a 'clonal colony' indicate, as exemplified by the Armillaria solidipes study?

That all individuals share identical genetic material from the same origin. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a known human pathogen?

Trychophyton spp. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the main role of fungi in the context of ecosystems?

To serve as the principal decomposers. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fungi Overview

Fungi are eukaryotic, multicellular organisms.
Growth varies between species, with some reproducing through budding (like yeast) and others through hyphae or spores. Spores can travel long distances.
Fungi play a role in breaking down dead organic matter (saprophytes) in a variety of ecosystems.
Some fungi are parasitic, obtaining nutrients from living organisms.
There are two main types of fungi: yeasts and filamentous fungi. Each type has a unique reproductive cycle.
Examples of fungi include Candida albicans (causes thrush), Armillaria solidipes (the largest organism on Earth) and Trichophyton rubrum (causes athlete's foot).
Fungi can be beneficial or detrimental to human health and the environment.

Learning Outcomes

Understanding the basic cell biology of fungi, including distinctions between different types and their respective reproduction cycles.
Learning examples of various fungi in relation to their habitats.

Fungal Classification

Fungi are classified into yeasts and filamentous fungi.
Examples of yeast species: Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Examples of filamentous species: Phanerochaete chrysosporium, Mucor sp., Phytophthora infestans, Agaricus spp., Entaloma sinuatum, and Trichophyton spp.

Fungal Nutrition

Many fungi are saprophytes, meaning they decompose dead organic matter.
Some fungi are parasitic, extracting nutrients from living organisms.
Important enzymes produced by some fungi: ligninase (produced by Phanerochaete chrysosporium).

Plant-Fungi Interactions

Some fungi live within plants, known as endophytes, and can be important in various plant-fungi interactions.
Gymnosporangium asiaticum infection in plants alters plant metabolism.

Reproduction in Yeasts

Yeasts reproduce via budding by vegetative outgrowth.
The daughter cell is similar to, but smaller, than the parent cell.

Reproduction in Filamentous Fungi

Producing spores and hyphae.
Spores are dispersed by wind or animals.
Hyphae are specialized filaments that enable the organism to spread and grow.

"Zombie Fungi"

Fungi like Cordyceps can alter the behaviour of animals.
They can manipulate insect behaviour to optimize spore dispersal.

Factors Affecting Lignin Degradation

Adequate nitrogen, moisture, and temperature are crucial for white-rot fungal growth and lignin decomposition.
Environmental conditions within host animal tissues are also significant for parasitic fungi.

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Description

Explore the fascinating world of fungi with this quiz. Learn about their unique reproductive cycles, the distinctions between yeasts and filamentous fungi, and their roles in ecosystems. Understand the impact they have on human health and the environment through various examples such as Candida albicans and Trichophyton rubrum.