Transcript Kingdom Fungi

What is a fungus?
• Fungi were once considered
members of the Kingdom
Plantae.
• Further study however shows
that fungi are more closely
related to animals than they are
plants.
• They now have their own
kingdom.
How do you define a
fungus?
• A fungus is a heterotrophic, eukaryotic
organism.
• Most fungi are multi-cellular, but there
is a very important type which is unicellular.
• Fungi (plural form) exhibit both sexual
and asexual reproduction based on
the species.
Fungi nutrition
• Most types of fungus are decomposers.
• Fungi are the principal decomposers in
every ecosystem, capable of breaking
down the toughest organic substances.
• Some fungi are parasitic. You may
have been a host to a fungus at one time
or another.
• Athlete’s foot is a fungus, so is ring
worm.
• Some types of fungi live symbiotically
with other organisms.
Fungi symbiosis
• Mycorrhizal fungi are found in
the soil around tree roots.
They help supply the tree with
phosphorous and nitrogen
while getting carbohydrates
from the tree in return.
• A lichen is a symbiotic
organism consisting of an algae
and a fungi.
Fungal cell structure
• Fungi lack chloroplasts and are unable
to photosynthesize, but they do have a
cell wall.
• Their cell walls are not made of
cellulose, like those of a plant, but chitin.
• Chitin is also found in the exoskeleton on
insects.
Spores
• Fungi reproduce asexually by means of
spores.
• Spores are similar to seeds, but contain fewer
nutrients.
• Spores are designed stay dormant for a long
period of time before developing.
• They are able to withstand unfavorable
conditions, and then become active when
conditions change.
• Some bacteria, plants and algae also
produce spores.
Spore shapes
So, what good are fungi?
Kingdom Fungi
• More than just
mushrooms
• Food! There are
thousands of edible
mushroom species.
• They are low in fat
and provide many
important minerals.
• Only 3% of
mushrooms in the
Enjoy, but beware…
• Many species of mushroom are
extremely toxic to humans.
• Symptoms of mushroom poisoning
include abdominal pain, vomiting
and swelling.
• Hundreds of people die from
eating wild mushrooms though
with prompt medical care most
recover.
Deadly galerina
Two billion dollar
industries
• Rely on the biological
processes of a unicellular
fungi.
• Baker’s yeast is an
important ingredient in
bread and other baked
goods.
• Brewer’s yeast is used in
the production alcoholic
beverages.
Other members of the
kingdom fungi.
• Molds are fungi.
Several types can
be dangerous to
humans, such as
black mold.
• Truffles. A delicacy
from France.
Review
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Fungi are heterotrophic. True or False?
Fungi are eukaryotic. True or False?
Fungi have cell walls. True of False?
Name some roles fungi play in the
environment.
What are spores?
Should you eat wild mushrooms?
What two industries rely of fungi?
Are there any unicellular fungi?