Chapter 31 Kingdom Fungi I Characters a Mode of nutrition i Chemoheterotrophs 1 Obtain nutrients from absorption a Decomposers saprobes absorb nutrient from dead organic matter b Parasites absorb host tissue c Mutualists with plants algae lichens d Release exoenzymes 2 Haploid condition dominant in the lifecycle 3 Cell wall of chitin carbohydrate 4 Mobility not motile no flagella in most hyphae can grow quickly 5 Body structure a Unicellular yeast to multicellular hyphae b Hyphae may be septate or aseptate coenocytic ii Mycelium plural mycelia mat of hyphae can extend great distances iii Hyphae have tubular walls surrounding plasma membrane and cytoplasm b Haustoria modified hyphae parasitic tips penetrate hosts i Hyphae adapted for preying on animals c Aseptate no cross walls multinucleated coenocytic almost like one big cell d Septate have cross walls Reproduction a Spores produced asexually conditions are good unchanging and sexually after some environmental change dispersed by wind and water b Produced in specialized structures i Hyphae are normally haploid c Syngamy fusion of gametes 2 separate processes i Plasmogamy fusion of cells cytoplasm ii Karyogamy fusion of nuclei can be separated by years iii Dikaryon forms after plasmogamy before karyogamy extended stage Classification a Division is another word for Phylum b Mycete fungus i Division Chytridiomycota mainly aquatic primitive ancestral group originally thought to be protists ii Have uniflagellated spores only fungi that do link the fungi to the protists evolved from protists with flagella iii Chytrid fungus infects amphibians c Division Zygomycota zygote Fungi i Most terrestrial live in soil or decaying plant and animal matter ii Mycorrhizae mutualists with plants iii Coenocytic aseptate hyphae II III IV V VI VII iv Form a resistant dikaryotic structure zygosporangia resistant to drying freezing inactive metabolically v Rhizopus black bread mold d Ascomycota sac fungi scarlet cup truffles and morel Asci sacs Division Basidiomycota club fungi a Mushrooms shelf fungi puff balls b Basidium little pedestal c Basidiocarp dikaryotic n n d Basidia on gills produce basidiospores e 1 mushroom can have a billion spores Impact a Important decomposers b Symbiotic associations i Lichens algae provides food for fungi usually green algae or cyanobacteria ii Fungi provides stable environment to algae some Basidiomycota most in Ascomycota iii 25 000 species described components reproduces separately some 1000s of years old indicator species sensitive to air pollution iv Algae different colors because of the chlorophyll pigment Mycorrhizae not taxonomic a Found in Ascomycota Basidiomycota zygomycota b Symbiotic relationship with plant roots i Absorbs food sugar from symbiont but fungi offers nutrients and minerals Economic Impacts a Penicillium fermenters on cheese surface blue cheese brie antibiotics i Yeast live in moist habitats Ascomycota or Basidiomycota 1 Ferment alcoholic beverages 2 Baker s yeast releases CO2 dough rises 3 Brewer s yeast 4 pink yeast Rhodotorula grows on shower curtains and other moist surfaces in our homes VIII Disease a Dutch elm disease caused by the fungus Ophiostoma ulmi which is transmitted by two species of elm bark beetles or by root grafting b Also tar spot fungus on maple leaves i Mycosis general term for a fungal infection in animals 1 Ringworm athlete s foot and yeast infections are examples of human ii Bats white nose disease caused by Geomyces killed millions of bats fungal 1 Infected bats use too much energy during winter and hibernation period iii Examples of fungal diseases of plants black stem rust on wheat ergots on mycoses infection rye IX X XI 1 Ergots if eaten can cause neurological problems spams hallucinations temporary insanity etc 2 Botrytis strawberries with mold 3 Pink ear rot of corn iv Fruiting bodies of certain mycorrhizal ascomycetes called truffles 1 Morels v Ascomycete mold Aspergillus is used to produce citric acid for colas Psilocybe cubensis a A widespread psychoactive species in the subtropics fruits virtually year round on cow patties Chlorophyllum molybdites is considered toxic but not deadly a 90 of all mushroom poisonings in Tampa Florida were the result of accidental consumption of specimens of C molybdites which were mistaken for Psilocybe cubensis In Michigan a Gyromitra esculenta be fatal i Contains monomethylhydrazine MMH a volatile toxin which in high doses can ii Common names false morel brain mushroom beefsteak morel iii Sometimes confused with morels iv Early morel Verpa bohemica sometimes confused with true morels but cap hangs free of stem