Summary of the learning objectives regarding the topics covered at the end of General Biology I such as fungi, animals, ecosystem, mechanisms in evolution, etc.
FUNGI
1. Describe the major characteristics of fungi.
-Morphology: mostly multicellular
-Cell wall is made of chitin
-Chemoheterotrophs (absorptive)
-Mostly aerobic but some yeast are facultative anaerobes
-Sexual reproduction and asexual reproduction
-They do not move but grow in direction of food
Unique features
-Body structures made of hyphae (thread like filaments of cells)
-Cell walls made of chitin
-cells after mating are heterokaryotic (n+n)
-can reproduce sexually but most of them do not produce gametes or flagellated cells
2. List the homologies between animals and fungi.
-DNA sequence
-Some animals and all fungi synthesize chitin
-Flagella similar in structure and function
-They store glucose as glycogen
3. What are the main characteristics used to classify fungi into different groups?
Fungi have been classified mainly on the basis of characteristics of their sexual reproductive
structures.
4. Where do you find fungi? Describe the major roles of fungi in ecosystems?
Moist terrestrial ecosystems but some fungi are aquatic
Decomposers
Mutualists
Parasites of plants and animals
Food for other organisms
5. What impact do fungi have on our lives?
-Rot food
-Cause disease in plants and animals
-Produce important products
-Research, medicine and biotechnology
Use for antibiotics
Yeast fundamental in understanding cell cycle and gene expression
, 6. Describe the basic structure of a fungus called hypha. How can hyphae differ in fungi?
Hyphae form the vegetative and reproductive structures of the fungi.
Many species produce septate hyphae: each filament is separated into cell-like compartments by
cross-walls called septa with gaps that enable materials to flow between compartments.
Other species produce coenocytic hyphae: no division between cells.
7. What 2 main structures are formed from hyphae? What role do these structures have for
the fungus?
Reproductive structure (aboveground) and mycelium (underground) are composed of hyphae.
A mycelium is composed of branching networks of very thin hyphae:
-Mycelia are an adaptation to the absorptive lifestyle of fungi.
-Reproductive structures are the only thick, fleshy structures that fungi produce.
- Fungi secrete digestive enzymes and can absorb the breakdown products via the mycelium.
8. What is the main reproductive cell in most fungi? What is the function and importance of
these cells?
The spore is the reproductive cell.
-Vehicle of dispersal in fungal life cycle
-Produced in huge numbers during sexual and asexual reproduction
-Spores can germinate into mycelia
9. List 2 unique features of the life cycle of most fungi.
Formation of heterokaryotic cells (cells contain haploid nuclei from 2 different individuals)
during sexual reproduction.
Most species reproduce sexually but few of them produce gametes
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