PEBO 102: Fungal Diversity and Biology

Podcast

Play an AI-generated podcast conversation about this lesson

Questions and Answers

What is the function of vegetative hyphae?

To form symbiotic associations with other organisms

To absorb and distribute nutrients to other parts for growth and development (correct)

To produce asexual spores

To project above the surface in culture medium

What is the term for obtaining nutrients from another living organism?

Vegetative growth

Saprophytism

Symbiotic associations

Parasitism (correct)

What is the term for the process of absorbing nutrients from dead organic matter?

Symbiotic associations

Vegetative growth

Parasitism

Saprophytism (correct)

What is the term for the association between fungi and the roots of higher plants?

Mycorrhizae Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the outgrowth that develops from a spore during asexual reproduction?

Germ tube Signup and view all the answers

How do fungi reproduce?

Through sexual, asexual, and vegetative reproduction Signup and view all the answers

What is the habitat of fungi?

Both terrestrial and aquatic Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the extensive network of hyphae produced during asexual reproduction?

Mycelium Signup and view all the answers

Where were fungi originally classified?

With photosynthetic plants Signup and view all the answers

What is characteristic of some animal cells that is also found in fungi?

Chitin Signup and view all the answers

What is generally absent from the cell walls of true fungi?

Cellulose Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of moulds that is different from yeasts?

They are multicellular Signup and view all the answers

What is the term used to describe the entangled mass of hyphae?

Mycelium Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic of aseptate hyphae?

They are continuous or branching filaments filled with cytoplasm and multiple nuclei Signup and view all the answers

What is the function of septa in septate hyphae?

To separate the reproductive cells from vegetative form Signup and view all the answers

How does cytoplasm flow through the hyphae?

Through major pores Signup and view all the answers

What is the source of the antibiotic drug Penicillin?

Penicillium chrysogenum Signup and view all the answers

Which fungus is used to control nematodes in the soil?

Trichoderma viride Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fungus that causes the Late blight of potato?

Phyptophthora infestans Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a human fungal infection?

Ringworm Signup and view all the answers

What is the name of the fungus that parasitises insects?

Cordyceps sinensis Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a food that can be spoiled by fungi?

Fruits Signup and view all the answers

Which fungus causes rotting of wood?

Aspergillus spp. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of a crop disease caused by fungi?

Corn smut disease Signup and view all the answers

What is the result of the fusion of haploid nuclei of compatible hyphae during sexual life cycle?

A diploid nucleus (zygote) that undergoes meiosis Signup and view all the answers

Where is the basidium located in a mushroom?

In the gill region Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of Chytridiomycota?

Motile spores (zoospores) Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of fungi in the ecosystem?

To decompose dead organic material Signup and view all the answers

Which type of fungi is known for its symbiotic association with plant roots?

Mycorrhizal fungi Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fungi is characterized by the production of non-motile spores?

Zygomycota Signup and view all the answers

What is the term for the association between fungi and plant roots?

Mycorrhizae Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of Ascomycota?

Sexually produced spores contained within an ascus Signup and view all the answers

What is the common name for Rhizopus and Mucor species?

Black bread moulds Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is an example of an edible mushroom?

Termitomyces Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of fungi in the food industry?

To be used as a food source or in food processing Signup and view all the answers

Which group of fungi includes yeasts, food spoilage moulds, and morels?

Ascomycota Signup and view all the answers

What is the characteristic feature of Basidiomycota?

Production of basidiospores in a basidium Signup and view all the answers

What is a unique characteristic of Truffle mushrooms?

Their intense aroma Signup and view all the answers

What is the economic importance of fungi in agriculture?

To enhance soil fertility Signup and view all the answers

What is the typical state of fungal cells during most of their life cycle?

Haploid Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Fungal Diversity

Fungi were originally classified with photosynthetic plants, but later separated and grouped with algae and protozoa (protista) and then placed in the Kingdom Mycota.
Fungi lack chlorophyll and their cell walls contain chitin, mannan, and β-glucans, which are characteristics of some animal cells.
Cellulose is generally absent from the cell walls of true fungi.

Structural Forms

Fungi can exist as unicellular or multicellular forms with several different cell types.
Multicellular fungi are primarily filamentous in their growth form, with long, slender filaments called hyphae that form an entangled mass called mycelium.

Morphological Features of Hyphae

Hyphae are of two types: aseptate (non-septate or coenocytic) and septate.
Aseptate hyphae are continuous or branching filaments filled with cytoplasm and multiple nuclei.
Septate hyphae are made up of long chains of cells joined end-to-end and divided by cross-walls called septa, which have pores.

Hyphae Classification Based on Function

Vegetative hyphae: grow as submerged or surface filaments, digesting, absorbing, and distributing nutrients obtained from the substrate to other parts for growth and development.
Aerial hyphae: project above the surface in culture medium.
Reproductive/fertile hyphae: aerial hyphae that produce asexual spores on the surface of the substrate.

Nutrition

Fungi acquire nutrients by three means: parasitism, saprophytism, and symbiotic associations.
Parasitism: obtaining nutrients from another living organism (e.g., Phytophthora sp. being parasitic on cocoa plants).
Saprophytism: absorbing nutrients from dead organic matter (e.g., Termitomyces sp. feeding on litter).
Symbiotic associations: exchanging nutrients with other organisms, especially roots of higher plants (e.g., Boletus spp. and Glomus spp. associating with roots to form mycorrhizae).

Habitat

Fungi occur both on land (terrestrial) and in water (aquatic - freshwater and marine).

Reproduction

Fungi reproduce in three ways: sexual, asexual, and vegetative (budding, as seen in yeast).
Both sexual and asexual reproduction occur in fungi.

Life Cycle

During the asexual life cycle, spores settle on a substrate, develop an outgrowth known as a germ tube, which then elongates into a hypha.
During the sexual life cycle, the haploid nuclei of compatible hyphae fuse, forming a diploid nucleus (zygote), which subsequently participates in sexual spore development through meiosis.

Fungal Classification

The four major groups are: Chytridiomycota, Zygomycota, Ascomycota, and Basidiomycota.
Chytridiomycota: characterized by motile spores (zoospores) and commonly called chytrids.
Zygomycota: characterized by the production of non-motile spores, with a coenocytic mycelial organization.
Ascomycota: characterized by the production of sexually produced spores (ascospores) contained within a sac called an ascus.
Basidiomycota: characterized by the production of basidiospores in a structure called a basidium.

Economic Importance of Fungi

Recycling of nutrients/maintenance of soil fertility: fungi decompose dead organic material, releasing nutrients back into the ecosystem.
Formation of symbiotic associations with plant roots: fungi provide the host with water, nutrients, and pathogen protection, in exchange for photosynthetic products.
Food: fungi are consumed directly or used indirectly in the food and beverage industry.
Medicines: fungi produce antibiotics that are widely used medicinally to control diseases.
Biocontrol of soil-borne pathogens: fungi are used to control pests, such as nematodes and insects.
Crop diseases: fungi cause the majority of known plant diseases, resulting in significant economic losses.
Animal diseases: fungi can parasitize domestic animals, causing diseases, but this is not usually a major economic problem.
Spoilage of food and goods: fungi cause spoilage of food and other consumable goods, such as fabric, leather, and paper.

Studying That Suits You

Use AI to generate personalized quizzes and flashcards to suit your learning preferences.

Description

Explore the fascinating world of fungi, including their classification, characteristics, and biology. Learn about the general biology of fungi, their cell walls, and more.