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Biology - Fungi

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    Study Guide Biology – Fungi 1. Fungi Defined Fungi, along with bacteria, play a huge role in nature as decomposers . They help break down organic material and recycle nutrients back into the environment. Without them, dead plants and animals would pile up everywhere. Most fungi are saprobes , which means they feed on nonliving organic matter such as fallen leaves, rotting wood, and dead animals. Some fungi, however, are parasites . These fungi live on or inside other living organisms and can cause diseases. In fact, fungi are responsible for many plant diseases that affect crops, as well as several diseases in humans. 1.1 How Fungi Get Their Food Fungi are different from plants and animals because of both their structure and how they obtain nutrients. Instead of eating or photosynthesizing, fungi use a process called extracellular digestion . Here’s how it works: • Fungi release special enzymes into their surroundings. • These enzymes break down large organic materials into smaller molecules. • The fungi then absorb these small nutrient particles through their cell membranes. This method allows fungi to feed efficiently on a wide range of materials in their environment. 1.2 Structure of Fungi Most fungi are multicellular , except for yeast, which is unicellular. The body of a multicellular fungus is made up of tiny, thread - like structures called hyphae (singular: hypha ). • Each hypha is a microscopic filament. • Many hyphae weave together to form a dense network called a mycelium (plural: mycelia ).

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    Study Guide • The mycelium is usually the visible part of the fungus, such as mold on bread or the underground network of a mushroom. Fungal cells are also unique because their cell walls contain chitin , a strong polysaccharide. In some fungi, the cell walls may also include cellulose . Fungi usually live in acidic environments and tend to prefer carbohydrate - rich foods . 1.3 Reproduction in Fungi Fungi can reproduce in both asexual and sexual ways, giving them flexibility to survive in different conditions. Asexual Reproduction • Parts of the mycelium can break off and grow into new fungi. • Fungi can also produce spores asexually. • These spores spread through air, water, or other means. • When conditions are favorable, spores germinate and grow into new fungi that are genetically identical to the parent. Most fungal hyphae and spores are haploid , meaning they contain only one set of chromosomes. The haploid stage is the main stage in a fungus’s life cycle. Fungal spores are tough and can survive extreme dryness and cold until conditions improve. 1.4 Sexual Reproduction Fungi can also reproduce sexually. In this process: • Two haploid cells join to form a short - lived diploid cell (with two sets of chromosomes). • This diploid cell quickly undergoes meiosis , producing new haploid cells. • These cells develop into spores. • The spores divide by mitosis , forming new hyphae and eventually a new mycelium.

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    Study Guide 1.5 Classification of Fungi Scientists classify fungi into four major divisions based on their reproductive structures and life cycles: • Zygomycetes • Ascomycetes • Basidiomycetes • Deuteromycetes This classification helps biologists understand how different fungi are related and how they reproduce. 2. Quiz Fungi 1. Question Fill in the blank: Most fungi are ________. Answer Choices • autotrophs • parasites • saprobes Correct Answer saprobes Why This Is Correct Most fungi obtain their food by breaking down dead and decaying organic matter, such as fallen leaves, wood, and dead organisms. Organisms that feed this way are called saprobes .

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    Study Guide Fungi release enzymes into their surroundings to digest the material externally and then absorb the nutrients. This makes saprobes the correct answer . 2. Question Fill in the blank: How do fungi obtain their nutrients? Answer Choices • extracellular digestion • photosynthesis • predation Correct Answer extracellular digestion Why This Is Correct Fungi obtain nutrients by releasing enzymes into their surroundings to break down organic matter outside their bodies. This process is called extracellular digestion . After the food is broken down into smaller molecules, fungi absorb the nutrients through their cell membranes. They do not make food by photosynthesis, and they do not hunt or capture prey like predators. 3. Question Fill in the blank: What component of fungal cells is unique? Answer Choices • cellulose • chitin • peptidoglycan

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    Study Guide Correct Answer chitin Why This Is Correct Fungal cell walls are made of chitin , a tough and flexible substance that is not found in plant or bacterial cell walls. Plants have cell walls made of cellulose, and bacteria have cell walls made of peptidoglycan. Because chitin is unique to fungi (and also found in some animals like insects), it is the correct answer . 4. Question Fill in the blank: Fungal reproduction is usually via what process? Answer Choices • alien intervention • asexual reproduction • sexual reproduction Correct Answer asexual reproduction Why This Is Correct Most fungi reproduce asexually , often by producing spores that can grow into new fungi without the need for another organism. While some fungi are capable of sexual reproduction, asexual reproduction is more common and allows fungi to reproduce quickly and efficiently.

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    Study Guide 5. Question Fill in the blank: Why are spores helpful to fungal reproduction? Answer Choices • They allow parasitism. • They increase variation. • They withstand extreme dryness and cold. Correct Answer They withstand extreme dryness and cold. Why This Is Correct Fungal spores are specially adapted to survive harsh environmental conditions , such as extreme dryness and cold. This ability allows spores to remain dormant for long periods and spread to new locations. When conditions become favorable, the spores can grow into new fungi, making reproduction more successful. 3 . Ascomycetes Ascomycetes are a very large and diverse group of fungi. Members of this division come in many shapes and sizes, which makes them especially interesting to study. Some ascomycetes are unicellular , such as yeasts. Others are much more complex, including: • Powdery mildews that grow on plants • Cottony molds • Large, visible cup - shaped fungi

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