Biology 102Lecture 20Outline of Last Lecture:I. Clicker Questions II. Plant Diversity III. FungiOutline of Current Lecture:I. FungiFungiThe mushroom is the reproductive structure with the main body of the fungus underground. Mushroom is only the reproductive structure. - Fungi contact and absorb food o Club fungi are the typical mushrooms.- Chestnut blight=fungus introduced to Asia in 1900s has caused massive decline in American chestnut. - Penicillin-very important fungus, has revolutionized medicine- Potato blight-fungus like protist is believed to have caused Irish potato famineSome fungi cause athletes foot. - Fungi are commonly the cause of plant disease. Corn smut causes lots of crop loss every year.o They also cause infection in animals. Example- ring worm, athlete’s food (minor skin annoyances).More serious type of infection *Histoplasmosis-fungus that likes to grow in bird or bat droppings. So if you go to cave and come in contact with droppings, be careful because disturbing droppings (cleaning cage) you can get spores to be airborne and hey can germinate and cause lung infection.Parasitic association-one organism that is being benefited and one organism that is being harmed. Ex. Mycorrhizae-is a beneficial association. Absorb nutrients and make it available for plant (mutualistic symbiotic relationship).Biology 102Lichens grow on trees and rocks-a fungus that is in a symbiotic relationship with algae or cyanobacteria. They work together. Fungus receives food from algae and phosphorous and other nutrients are made available for the fungus. (Mutualistic).- Lichens obtain many of their minerals from the air. They cannot withstand air pollution. You are least likely to find it on a statue in a city known for its polluted air. - Lichens can help turn rock into soil. They have a lot of acid secretions, releasing minerals from the rocks. Helps pave the way for plants and other organisms to colonize. Important food sources in the winter and pioneers in new land.Fungi can definitely be used in bioremediation-they can break down many toxic pollutants or components of sewage. They can clean up oil spills and chemical messes. We also eat lots of fungi. Yeasts are fungi and produce
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