Fungi
, Fungi
Characteristics
-> eukaryotic
-> do not possess chlorophyll- heterotrophic
-> some are parasitic, others are saprophytic
-> most are multicellular, except yeast
-> have cell walls made of chitin
-> reproduce asexually- spores
-> reproduce sexually- encourages variation
Structure of bread mould
Seen with the naked eye, network of grayish threads called hyphae
All threads together form a mycelium
Some hyphae grow into the bread to absorb food- rhizoids
Tiny black dots appear on the mould (sporangia) which contain spores that release when ripe
The sporangia are held up by sporangiophores
Functioning of bread mould
Nutrition
Saprophytic
Rhizoids secrete enzymes into the bread to dissolve the starch
Rhizoids then absorb dissolved food
Reproduction
Conditions are favorable (warm and moist) the mould produces many sporangia
When ripe, they burst open, releasing hundreds of microscopic reproductive cells called spores
Spores land on suitable food, and germinate into a new mycelium
Conditions are unfavorable (cold and dry) the mould reproduces sexually
Two different molds fudge to allow new combinations of genes- might give rise to a stronger mould
Importance of fungi in nature
Fungi are important decomposers in ecosystems as they break down dead organisms to recycle the
nutrients
Importance of fungi to man
Saprophytic fungi- spoil food and rot wood and fabrics
Yeast- undergoes fermentation and is used in making wine, beer and bread
Parasitic fungi cause disease:
In humans: ringworm, athletes food, thrush
In plants: bright, rust
, Fungi
Characteristics
-> eukaryotic
-> do not possess chlorophyll- heterotrophic
-> some are parasitic, others are saprophytic
-> most are multicellular, except yeast
-> have cell walls made of chitin
-> reproduce asexually- spores
-> reproduce sexually- encourages variation
Structure of bread mould
Seen with the naked eye, network of grayish threads called hyphae
All threads together form a mycelium
Some hyphae grow into the bread to absorb food- rhizoids
Tiny black dots appear on the mould (sporangia) which contain spores that release when ripe
The sporangia are held up by sporangiophores
Functioning of bread mould
Nutrition
Saprophytic
Rhizoids secrete enzymes into the bread to dissolve the starch
Rhizoids then absorb dissolved food
Reproduction
Conditions are favorable (warm and moist) the mould produces many sporangia
When ripe, they burst open, releasing hundreds of microscopic reproductive cells called spores
Spores land on suitable food, and germinate into a new mycelium
Conditions are unfavorable (cold and dry) the mould reproduces sexually
Two different molds fudge to allow new combinations of genes- might give rise to a stronger mould
Importance of fungi in nature
Fungi are important decomposers in ecosystems as they break down dead organisms to recycle the
nutrients
Importance of fungi to man
Saprophytic fungi- spoil food and rot wood and fabrics
Yeast- undergoes fermentation and is used in making wine, beer and bread
Parasitic fungi cause disease:
In humans: ringworm, athletes food, thrush
In plants: bright, rust
