Oomycota

also known as egg fungi

By Ellora Narida, Anna Lacson, Paulyn Candelaria, Anna Bonifacio, and Rex Apa-ap

Characteristics
The hyphae ( the part that feeds and grows and ultimately may produce a reproductive structure ) lack cross walls. As a result, the hyphae are multinucleate. Although Oomycetes are commonly known as water molds , some are able to grow on land under damp, humid conditions. Cell walls are composed of cellulose and are rarely with septations. They have mitochondria which has extended saccade structures or tubes called Tubular Cristae

 Most oomycetes produce zoospores ( motile asexual spores ) with two flagella. 1. Whiplash flagellum smooth tapers 2. Tinsel flagellum lateral filaments perpendicular to the main axis.

Has oogonia which are unicellular female reproductive organ containing one or more eggs. Oomycotas food reserves are unknown.

 As in humans as well as plants and other animals, sexual reproduction in the Oomycota involves specialized reproductive structures where meiosis can occur and gametes are formed. It s gametic life cycle is dominant. In the asexual cycle, the organism produces specialized sporangia called zoosporangia from which emerge zoospores.

Life Cycle
Two types of reproduction can occur: 1. Asexual Reproduction
Most oomycetes produce asexual motile spores called zoospores. These spores can find food on water surfaces by interpreting the chemical signals, a method known as chemotaxis. When food is found, the spores develop into hyphae which grow into new organisms. Some oomycete zoospores are airborne.

2. Sexual Reproduction
On the other hand, some oomycetes also produce nonmotile sexual spores called oospores which are hardy and can withstand extreme environmental conditions. Sexual reproduction takes place in specialized structures formed by the hyphae. One of these structures, called the antheridium, produces sperm cells. The other structure, called the oogonium, produces egg cells. Fertilization occurs within the oogonium and, like spores, the zygotes that form develop into new organisms.

Examples of Oomycota
Saprolengia Zoosporangium of Saprolengia

Water mold Mizukabi colony

Plasmopara Viticola (Mildew)

Significance
Oomycota is responsible for the decomposition and recycling of waste in their ecosystem, which tends to be moist, cool areas such as damp soil and freshwater habitats.

 The oomycetes are more commonly known as parasitic to other organisms. Some species grow on scales or eggs of fishes and some amphibians. They are also parasitic to rotifers, nematodes, arthropods and diatoms. Towards humans, they affected us greatly through agriculture. They destroyed plants like grapes, corn, cabbage, etc. But because they feed on decaying matter, they are sometimes used in composts. Examples: Saprolegnia which causes lesions on fish and gives them infections Phytophthora infestans which infected potatoes, main food staple of the Irish, causing The Great Potato Famine in Ireland, 1845; resulting in millions of people dying of starvation. Plasmopara viticola which almost ended the wine industry of France but through this resulted the discovery of the first known fungicide and the first chemical to control plat disease.

Bibliography
Unknown ( 7 August 2010). Oomycota. Retrieved from http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Oomycota Miller, Kenneth R., and Levine, Joseph S. (2000). Prentice-Hall Biology. publication place: Pearson Prentice Hall. Sleigh, M.A. (1989). Protozoa and Other Protists. Edward Arnold, London. Unknown (2008). Irish Potato Famine. Retrieved from http://www.my-secret-northernireland.com/potato-famine.html Llwyd, Canolfan E. (2005). Fungal Taxonomy. Retrieved from http://www.aber.ac.uk/fungi/fungi/taxonomy.htm Unknown ( photographer), Zoosporangium in Saprolengia. Retrieved from http://www.botany.hawaii.edu/faculty/wong/bot201/oomycota/oomycota.htm Unknown( photographer), Saprolengia. Retrieved from http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/chromista/saprolegnia2.jpg Keisotyo (Photographer), Water Mold (Mizukabi), Susam town, Wakayama, Japan. 2005. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Water_mold_Mizukabi_colony.jpg Unknown (Photographer), Plasmopara Viticola (Mildew), Retrieved from http://www.apsnet.org/publications/apsnetfeatures/Article%20Images/Oomycetes_Fig 01.jpg