Biology

Fungi

 

Fungi Classification, the Divisions (Phyla):

Zygomycota:

* Common bread mold
* Hyphae lack septa
* Sexual reproduction is by conjugation

Basidiomycota:

* Mushrooms
* Underground hyphae intertwine and grow upward to produce a reproductive structure called a basidiocarp. This basidiocarp is what we call a mushroom.

*A "fairy ring" (shown here) is actually a single organism. As the hyphae expand outward, the reproductive structures (mushrooms) grow around the outer edge. As long as the organism survives, the circle of mushrooms will be wider every year.
* While wild mushrooms are a highly prized food, because of toxins you should become good at mushroom identification before picking your own.

 

 

Ascomycota:

* Mildews and yeasts (sac fungi)
* The largest group of fungi
* Named for the reproductive sacs or Asci that form near the tips of the hyphae. Ascospores are formed here and released into the air when the ascus ruptures. These spores germinate to form new hyphae.

 

Over 90% of plants have fungi associated with their roots. The fungus absorbs and concentrates phosphates for delivery to the plant roots. In return, the fungus receives sugars synthesized by the plant during photosynthesis.

 

 

Lichens: a symbiotic association between a fungus and a photosynthetic partner, usually a cyanobacterium or green alga.

The fungi hyphae provide protection and hold moisture while the photosynthetic partner provides food.

 

 

1. Upper Cortex: Short, thick hyphae pressed together to form a protective layer.
 
2. Photosynthetic Layer: In most lichens, the algae are found in a single layer under the protective cortex.
 
3. Pith: A loosely woven mat of hyphae holding moisture.
 
4. Lower Cortex: Just like the upper cortex protecting the bottom of the group.
 
5. Rhizomes: Bundles of hyphae anchoring the group.

 

 

The first picture to the right is a "typical" lichen. The greenish color is because of the green algae cells growing between the hyphae of the fungus.
The farthest picture to the right is typical of lichens in Oklahoma. The grey is a lichen, the orange is a fungus without algae, and the green is a moss. All three are growning on the bark of a tree.

 

 

Answer the following questions. Head your paper Unit 11 Day 2 Fungi.

1. How are lichens important to the environment?
2. Not including mushrooms, give an example of how fungi are used in food processing.