Ch 20 Fungi
Characteristics
1. Fungi are eukaryotic heterotrophs
2. Along with bacteria they are major decomposers
3. Many are saprophytes which means they live off of dead material
4. Some are parasites
5. Most reproduce sexually and asexually
6. Fungi are found most everywhere on earth.
Types of Fungi
1. Zygomycota (common molds) bread & cheese molds
2. Ascomycota (sac fungi) morrels, truffles and yeasts
3. Basidiomycota (club fungi) Mushrooms, shelf fungi & puffballs
4. Deuteromycota (imperfect fungi) penicillium, ringworm & athletes foot
Lichen: A partnership between a fungus and an algae.
There are three forms of lichens:
a. foliose
b. crustose
c. fruticose
Spores = Reproductive structures
Puffballs = Mushrooms that have dust-like spores that are spread by the wind.
Stinkhorn = Smell like rotten meat. Spores spread by flies.
Parts of a Mushroom
Button: early stage of growth
Cap: Top of mushroom
Stipe: Stem-like structure
Gills: found under the cap (produces spores)
Cyclosporine: An organ transplant drug that is used to prevent rejection of the transplanted organ.
Cordyceps lloydii: A deadly fungus that affects ants.
Truffles: Very expensive fungus that is used to flavor foods. Pigs and dogs are used to find this fungus that is buried underground.
Fairy Rings: Interesting growth of mushrooms
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