Transcript December- Fungi Kingdom

Fungi Characteristics
1) Unicellular and Multicellular Eukaryote
2) Heterotrophs and major Decomposers
3) Most reproduce asexually by spores
4) Cell wall made of Chitin
5) Need moist, warm places in which to
grow.
• Fungi can either be
unicellular or
multicellular
Witch’s Hat
fungus is
multicellular.
Yeast is a singlecelled fungus.
The cells of
fungi are
arranged in
branching,
threadlike
tubes called
hyphae
Cap
Gills
Hyphae
• Fungi are heterotrophs, but they cannot catch or
surround their food.
So, how do they eat?
• They have to live near or actually on their food
supply
• There are 3 ways that fungi get their food:
–consumers (ex: bracket fungus)
–Decomposers (ex: bread mold)
–Parasites (ex: zombie ants)
Insert Zombie Slide Video
Reproduction
• Most fungi reproduce asexually by making
spores
• Yeast cells reproduce asexually in a process
called budding.
• Fungi reproduce sexually when conditions
are unfavorable.
The Role of Fungi in Nature
• Food and Fungi
– Yeasts make bread rise
– Molds are used to make cheese
– Mushrooms on pizza yum!
• Environmental Recycling
– Decomposers—break down chemicals in dead organisms
• Disease-Fighting
– Penicillin—bread mold that produces antibiotics which kill
bacteria.
• Disease-Causing
– Athlete’s foot
– Ring worm
Symbiosis: Lichens
•A fungus and algae or autotrophic
bacteria living together in a
mutualistic relationship
•Fungus provides shelter, water,
and minerals
•Algae/bacteria provide food