Kingdom Fungi THE SAC

FUNGI
Characteristics
• STRUCTURE
• Eukaryotic Heterotrophic
(multi cellular
decomposers)
• with the exemption of YEAST
• Multicellular fungi are
composed of thin filaments
called hyphae
• hyphae tangled together into
a thick mass called a
mycelium
Characteristics
• Another feature of fungi is the
presence of chitin in their cell
walls.
• A complex carbohydrate that
makes up the cell walls of fungi
• The reproductive structure
growing from the mycelium in the
soil that you recognize as a
mushroom
• Basilia, a spore making structure
in the gills under the fruiting
body.
 Characteristics
• REPRODUCTION
• Most fungi reproduce
both asexually and
sexually
 Asexual Reproduction of FUNGI

• Fungi reproduce asexually by fragmentation, budding, or producing

spores. Fragments of hyphae can grow new colonies.
• Spores allow fungi to expand their distribution and colonize new
environments. They may be released from the parent thallus, either
outside or within a special reproductive sac called a sporangium.
• Mycelial fragmentation occurs when a fungal mycelium separates into
pieces with each component growing into a separate mycelium.
• Somatic cells in yeast form buds. During budding (a type of cytokinesis),
a bulge forms on the side of the cell, the nucleus divides mitotically, and
the bud ultimately detaches itself from the mother cell.
 Sexual Reproduction of FUNGI

• Sexual reproduction involves two different mating types (+ and -)

• When two hyphae of opposite mating types meet, their nuclei fuse together
• Stages:
• First, during plasmogamy (literally, "marriage or union of cytoplasm"),
two haploid cells fuse, leading to a dikaryotic stage where two haploid nuclei
coexist in a single cell.
• During karyogamy ("nuclear marriage"), the haploid nuclei fuse to form
a diploid zygote nucleus.
• Finally, meiosis takes place in the gametangia organs, in which gametes of
different mating types are generated. At this stage, spores are disseminated
into the environment.
Characteristics
• NUTRITION
• Depends on other organisms for their food
• Unlike animals, fungi do not ingest their food, instead they
digest food outside their bodies and then absorb it
• Most are Saprotroph
• Many are saprobes
• Others are parasites
• Others are symbionts
ROLE
Fungi as Decomposers
•Maintains the equilibrium in the
ecosystem
•They recycle nutrients by breaking down
the bodies and wastes of other organisms
by releasing digestive enzymes
ROLE
Fungi as Parasites
•As useful as many fungi are others can
infect both animals and plants and cause
diseases
Ex.) Wheat rust, athelets foot, Candida, Cordyceps
ROLE
Fungi in Symbiotic Relationships
•Some fungi form symbiotic relationships
in which both partners benefit
ROLE
Fungi in Symbiotic Relationships
LICHEN
Symbiotic association between a fungus and a
photosynthetic organism

MYCORRHIZAE
Symbiotic relationship between plant roots and fungi
LICHENS

• The algae or cyanobacteria - Carries out

photosynthesis providing the fungus with food
• The fungus provides the algae or bacteria with – water
and minerals that it collects and also protects the
delicate algae cell
• Lichens are often the first organisms to enter barren
environments
MYCORRHIZAE

• Fungi allow plants to – absorb more water

and minerals
• Fungi also release enzymes that – free
nutrients into the soil
• Plants provide fungi with – the products of
photosynthesis
 PHYLUM of FUNGI

• ZYGOMYCETES – common molds (bread molds)

• ASCOMYCETES – sac fungi (morels, truffles,
and yeasts
• BASIDIOMYCETES – mushrooms, puff balls
• DEUTEROMYCETES – imperfect fungi
(penicillium)
 THE SAC FUNGI (Ascomycetes)

• Sac fungi get their names from the fact that they produce
their spores, called ascospores, in special pods or sac-
like structures called asci (singular ascus).
• Most are blue-green, red
and brown molds that cause
food spoilage

• Non motile

• Penicillium
Life cycle of Ascomycete

• The mycelium grows out from a germinating

ascospore
• Mycelium begins to reproduce asexually by forming
conidia
• Many conidia are produced
• Conidia are responsible for propagating and
disseminating the fungus
Sexual Reproduction

• Occurs on the same mycelium that produces conidia

• The formation of multinucleate gametangia called antheridia
(male) and ascogonia (female) precedes sexual reproduction
• Male nuclei pass into the ascogonium via the trichogyne which is
an outgrowth of the ascogonium
• Genetically different nuclei pair but do not fuse
• Ascogenous hyphae now begin to grow
• Compatible pairs of nuclei migrate and cell division occurs and
creates dikaryotic cells- two compatible haploid nuclei
 Ascomycetes growth

• Most have either unicellular or

filamentous growth forms
• Hyphae have perforated septa

• Hyphal cells of Vegetative

mycelim may be either
uninucleated or multinucleated
Morel mushroom

• Morels are famous because they are edible and are

delicious!
• Common in many parts of North America, they grow in
rich soil and though there are several species.
• The largest and most commonly known ascomycetes
include the morel and the truffle.

• NOTE:
• There are some "false morels," which are not so good for eating.
• The depressions in false morels are shallow or nonexistent. Spore-
producing sacs, or asci, are borne in palisadelike layers lining the
cap's depressions.
 YEAST

• Reproduce asexually by budding –Only

unicellular fungi
• Many yeasts are sac fungi, including the
common yeast used to make bread.
Yeast uses sugar (as food) to produce
CO 2 and alcohol. Trapped Carbon
Dioxide bubbles cause dough to rise

• Dutch Elm Disease (caused by parasitic

yeast)
• Zygote Fungi Bread Molds, a shapeless &
fuzzy are a type of zygote fungi. The
hyphae of a zygote fungus grow over
materials, such as bread, dissolving the
material and absorbing nutrients.
 YEAST

• Zygote Fungi Tiny stalks called

zygosporangia form when the
fungus undergoes sexual
reproduction and release spores
called zygospores.
• Reproduce asexually- –Zygoporangia
break open and release spores Can
reproduce sexually- –Two hyphae
join and develop zygosporangia

• Bread mold- under the microscope

Hyphae Sporangia (spore cases)
 BLUE GREEN MOLDS

• They are species of the genus Penicillium. This is the

same genus from which the powerful antibiotic
penicillin is derived.

• Other use of Penicillium

as blue cheese flavoring
 Candlesnuff fungus (Xylaria)

• Most people would never notice this

little being unless they were specifically
looking for small things, poking around
on fallen logs. This species isn't
illustrated in most mushroom field
guides.

• Xylaria contains about 100 species

of cosmopolitan fungi. X.
polymorpha produces a club-shaped or
fingerlike fruiting body (stroma)
resembling burned wood and common on
decaying wood or injured trees.
 Mildew

• Is defined as thin, superficial, usually

whitish growth consisting of minute
hypae (fungi filaments) produced
especially on living plants or organic
matter such as wood, paper and etc.
 Truffles

• Is a fruiting body of a subterranean

Ascmycete fungus, predominantly
one of the many secies of the genus
tuber.
• Some of the truffle species are
highly prized as food.
Sources

• Source: Boundless. “Fungi Reproduction.” Boundless

Biology Boundless, 26 May. 2016. Retrieved 22 Feb. 2017
from https://www.boundless.com/biology/textbooks/boundless-
biology-textbook/fungi-24/characteristics-of-fungi-149/fungi-
reproduction-591-11810/
• https://www.britannica.com/science/fungus/Life-cycle-of-fungi
• https://www.britannica.com/science/Ascomycota
• http://www.backyardnature.net/fungsac.htm