Fungi

Fungi

Basic Characteristics:-eukaryotic-heterotrophic-multicellular (mostly)-have a cell wall but is made of chitin-have no specialized tissues or organs-basic structure are called hyphae -> long filaments of cells with/without partitions-chemically more similar to animals than plantsSurvival Tactics:Fungi will reproduce asexually if conditions are favourable. It will also grow hyphae over its food source. When conditions become less favourable, fungi start to reproduce sexually (spores).Nutrition:*extracellular digestion-parasitic -> haustoria-sporotrophic -> decomposers-mutualism -> mychorrhiza-predatorsReproductionAsexual:-fragmentation------------- genetically identical-budding--------------------- no mate required-spores------------------------ when times are "good"Sexual:-requires joining of two gametes (haploid cell with 1/2 set of DNA = positive + negative (or male + female) Classifying FungiFungi are classified into four groups, based on how the reproduce sexually:1. Zygomycota (bread molds): when two haploid hyphae (+ and -) join, zygospores are created. This happens during rough times. Usually reproduction would happen asexually via the sporangium.2. Basidomycota (club fungi): during sexual reproduction, basidiospores are borne in the basidium and released when matured. They spores then grow + and - hyphae. When + and - hyphae fuse, it creates new hyphae/mycelium and then starts to grow a basidiocarp. This form "gills" on which new basidia and basidiospores form.3. Ascomycota (yeast and sac fungi): during sexual reproduction + and - hyphae fuse to form ascus, a finger-like sac bearing spores. During asexual reproduction, spores form at the tips of modified hyphae called conidia. Also some ascomycota reproduce asexually by budding.4. Deuteromycota (imperfect fungi): these do not sexually reproduce. They develop mycelia from spores called conidia.