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Questions and Answers
What characteristic of fungi distinguishes them from plants?
What characteristic of fungi distinguishes them from plants?
What is the primary way that fungi obtain their nutrients?
What is the primary way that fungi obtain their nutrients?
What is the term for the mass of hyphae that make up a fungus?
What is the term for the mass of hyphae that make up a fungus?
What is the primary function of the cell walls of fungal cells?
What is the primary function of the cell walls of fungal cells?
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What is the term for fungi that can exist in both yeast and hyphal forms?
What is the term for fungi that can exist in both yeast and hyphal forms?
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What is the term for the spores produced by fungi?
What is the term for the spores produced by fungi?
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What is the primary way that yeast reproduce?
What is the primary way that yeast reproduce?
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What is the term for fungi that obtain their nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter?
What is the term for fungi that obtain their nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter?
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Study Notes
General Features of Fungi
- Fungi are eukaryotic organisms
- They do not contain chlorophyll
- They have complex carbohydrate cell walls
- They have ergosterol in their cell walls
- They have filamentous structures
- They produce spores
- They are heterotrophic, obtaining nutrients by decomposing organic matter (saprophytic) or by forming symbiotic relationships with other organisms (parasitic)
Fungal Structures
- Yeasts: unicellular organisms that reproduce by budding (e.g. Candida)
- Hyphae: multi-cellular filamentous structures composed of tubular cells with cell walls
- Mycelia: a mass of hyphae that branch and can be identified by their branching pattern
- Mycelia can be septated or non-septated
Spore Formation
- Reproduction in fungi occurs through spore formation (conidia)
- Asexual spores can be large (macroconidia) or small (microconidia) (e.g. Penicillum, Aspergillus, dermatophytes)
Dimorphic Fungi
- Dimorphic fungi have two forms: yeast (pathogenic) and mycelium (saprophytic)
- Yeast form: usually seen in tissue, exudates, or culture at 37°C
- Mycelium form: present in nature or when cultured at 25°C
- Conversion to yeast form is essential for pathogenicity
- Dimorphic fungi form filamentous colonies on culture and can be identified by morphological or biochemical characteristics (e.g. Histoplasma)
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Description
This quiz covers the characteristics of fungi, including their cellular structure, nutrition, and reproduction methods. Learn about the unique features of fungi, from eukaryotic cells to spore production.
