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6 Kingdom FUNGI
Reasons for kingdom fungi: (i) the vegetative body is a mycelium consisting of many branched
threads-like hyphae. (ii) no chlorophyll
6.1 BREAD MOULD/ MUCOR/ RHIZOPUS
Habitat; moist/damp warm organic matter on
land
Reason/adaptations: (i) Rhizoids/rooting hyphae
for anchorage and absorbing soluble food from
decaying organic matter. (ii)
sporangiophore/sporangium stalk supports
sporangium in air for wind to blow the spores
away, when sporangium bursts. (iii) sporangium
produces, stores spores and bursts to release the
light small spores in air for wind dispersal to new
areas where they grow into new moulds. (iv) the
highly branched rooting and linking hyphae
maximise nutrient absorption and optimal
nutrient utilisation. (v) numerous moulds to
increase chances of survival.
Descried body structure; mycelium consists of
network of numerous, thread-like hyphae, that lie
vertically and horizontally. Each hyphae has
many rooting hyphae/rhizoids; sporangium stalk
which is long, thin, thread-like and
sporangium/spore sacs which is small, swollen,
round, black, dot-like, on top end of sporangium
stalk. Adjacent hyphae are linked by thin, thread-
like linking hyphae.
Dispersal/propagation/reproduction;
Asexual reproduction. On maturing the
numerous, small, black, dot-like spore sacs
/sporangia contain numerous light small spores.
The sporangia bursts, spores are released and are
blown by wind from parent mould to new
substrate (material on which mould/micro-
organisms grow). When conditions are suitable,
the spores germinate and grow into new mould.
Draw the reproductive unit/ structures of rhizopus
Draw of part of the mycelium of rhizopus
Challenges /dangers/linitations in life.
(i)thin thread-like sporangiophores are weak and
easily break due to wind/physical forces, and
spores are not in air for dispersal.(ii) the black
sporangia are numerous and crowded very close
together, so some spores released, land on same
substrate/habitat, which further increases
crowding, completion for shelter/space, food, air,
moisture/water. This consequently leads to death
of moulds. (iii) the thin, short rhizoids are
shallow rooting, which limits the amount of aerial
growth of mycelium that is supported, and also
limits the amount of food and water absorbed,
hence limits growth
Ecological roles/niche; the rooting
hyphae/feeding hyphae/rhizoids grow into the
dead organic matter, releases digestive juices/
enzymes, that break down the organic matter,
releases nutrients back into the soil, for plants to
absorb for primary production/photosynthesis.
The organic matter is prevented from
accumulating
Nutrition; saprophytism/saprotrophism;
Reasons (i) numerous networked
rhizoids/feeding hyphae/rooting hyphae grow
into the dead organic matter to release digestive
juices/enzymes and to absorb the dissolved food.
(ii) grows on dead organic matter. (iii) Non-green
due to lack of chlorophyll, so no photosynthesis
occurs, and feeds on already made food (this is
the reason for heterotrophism.)
Draw a hypha/functional unit of mycelium or
fungal body of rhizopus
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(Ref; Stone and Cozens; 3rd edition; page 71)
6.2 MUSHROOM
Habitat: decaying organic matter in the
soil/land. Reasons/adaptations: (i) grows from
the substrate where the fruiting body is attached
for support and feeding. (ii) thick round
stalk/stipe supports the large pileus in air. (iii)
large pileus protects numerous delicate gills and
give a large surface for growth of numerous gills.
(iv) numerous gills produce numerous spores for
rapid multiplication/reproduction. (v) dull
coloured to camouflage for protection from
natural enemies.
ecological role/niche: (i)Growing on substrate,
feeds on the substrate using the numerous, networked
hyphae, hence breaking down the organic matter and
in process release nutrients in the soil, that are
recycled in the ecosystem for plants to absorb for
photosynthesis/primary production. (ii) is soft and
fleshy so is eaten whole by animals
Nutrition; saprophytism/saprotrophism;
Reasons (i) numerous networked
rhizoids/feeding hyphae/rooting hyphae grow
into the dead organic matter to release digestive
juices/enzymes and to absorb the dissolved food.
(ii) grows on dead organic matter. (iii) Non-green
due to lack of chlorophyll, so no photosynthesis
occurs, and feeds on already made food (this is
the reason for heterotrophism.)
Dispersal/propagation/reproduction;
Asexual reproduction. On maturing the
numerous, thin, flat gills produce numerous light
small spores, that are released and are blown by
wind from parent mushroom to new
substrate/organic matter in the soil.When
conditions are suitable, the spores germinate and
grow into new mould.
Describe the body structure: the mycelium is a
tangle of network of long, thread-like hyphae,
that are divided into sections by cross-walls, but
the hyphae are hidden in the substrate on which
the fungus is feeding and living. The fruiting
body body starts as a small white swelling on the
mycelium and is the one we wrongly call
mushroom.
The mature fruiting body is umbrella-shaped,
consisting of thick, soft, smooth, round,
stalk/stipe; a ring structure; and a cap/pileus
which is large/expanded, smooth, round/circular,
soft. The hyphae are closely interwoven and
packed. On the underside of the pileus, are
numerous, thin, flat, delicate, smooth, soft, piles
of gills, that radiat from the stipe. The end of the
interwoven hyphae in the gills bents, and then
swells with spores produced.
Drawing of a mushroom. (Ref; Stone and Cozens;
3rd edition; page 72)
Challenges/dangers/limitations in life.
(i)Soft, fleshy fruiting body is easily damaged by
the moving natural enemies and also easily dries
up and dies away. (ii)the soft fleshy body is also
weak and can be easily damaged by moving
animals.(iii)Shallow rooting hyphae limits
vertical growth.