“Fungi”___________________Biology 24th Chapter

Characteristics of Fungi
• Eukaryotic heterotrophs
• Most are multicellular (unicellular form is called a yeast)
• Are saprotrophic or have a symbiotic relationship

Structure of a multicellular fungus

• fruiting body – mass of tightly aligned hyphae (usually above ground)
• mycelium – mass of densely branched hyphae (usually underground)
• hyphae – septate or nonseptate

Fungi are classified into phyla based on sexual spores and fruiting bodies

A. Flagellated Fungi
* Microscopic; primarily aquatic
* produce enzymes that degrade cellulose, chitin and keratin
* most reproduce by forming zoospores (motile spores with a single flagellum)

B. Bread Mold Fungi

* mostly terrestrial
C. Sac Fungi
* unicellular
D. Club Fungi
* mostly terrestrial
E. Interspecies interactions
Many fungi interact with other organisms
1. Mychrrhizae (fungus roots)
A mutualistic relationship between fungi and plant roots
*plant obtains water from water and minerals from fungus
*fungus obtains carbohydrates from plant

2. Lichens

A mutualistic relationship between fungi and cyanobacteria or green algae

• algae/cyanobactiera obtain minerals and water from fungus

• fungus obtains carbohydrates from algae/cyanobactiera

Lichens survive in habitats that are inhospitable to either organism alone, and cannot
withstand air pollution. They are sometimes used to monitor air quality.