2.4
Learning Target:
Most Fungi are Decomposers
Review:
Plants get energy from sunlight
Animals get energy from eating other organisms
Fungi are decomposers. Fungi break down, or decompose, the complex carbon compounds that are part of living matter. They absorb nutrients and leave behind simpler compounds.
Plants get energy from sunlight
Animals get energy from eating other organisms
Fungi are decomposers. Fungi break down, or decompose, the complex carbon compounds that are part of living matter. They absorb nutrients and leave behind simpler compounds.
Fungi, along with bacteria, decompose the bodies of dead plants and animals. They also decompose fallen leaves, shed skin, and feces.
Cup Fungus on Black Bear Feces
Characteristics of Fungi:
Fungus are made up of a network of cells called hyphae. A mass of hyphae is called mycelium. The hyphae are just one cell thick and are close to the soil or whatever the fungus is living on.
- Most are multi-cellular (except yeast)
- They have a nucleus and a thick cell wall.
- They do not have tissues or organs.
Fungus are made up of a network of cells called hyphae. A mass of hyphae is called mycelium. The hyphae are just one cell thick and are close to the soil or whatever the fungus is living on.
Pine sapling showing stretch of mycellium where mushrooms can form.
Reproduction
Fungi reproduce with spores, which can be produced either asexually or sexually. A spore is a single reproductive cell that is capable of growing into a new organism. The mushrooms you eat are reproductive bodies of the fungus. A single mushroom can produce a billion spores.
Fungi reproduce with spores, which can be produced either asexually or sexually. A spore is a single reproductive cell that is capable of growing into a new organism. The mushrooms you eat are reproductive bodies of the fungus. A single mushroom can produce a billion spores.
Other types of fungus:
Mushrooms are only a small part of the Fungus Kingdom.
Mold is a type of fungi. Mold on food uses hyphae to spread and digest the food as they go. Many molds cause disease. Fungal molds cause Athlete's Foot. Some are useful in the production of cheese and have been used as Penicillin to fight bacterial diseases like pneumonia.
Mushrooms are only a small part of the Fungus Kingdom.
Mold is a type of fungi. Mold on food uses hyphae to spread and digest the food as they go. Many molds cause disease. Fungal molds cause Athlete's Foot. Some are useful in the production of cheese and have been used as Penicillin to fight bacterial diseases like pneumonia.
Yeasts
Yeasts are single-celled fungi. Yeasts grow in wet environments such as human skin and shower curtains. Yeasts grow naturally on human skin, but if they reproduce too fast they can cause disease.
Yeasts are used in many food products. The activity of yeast cells breaking down sugars is what makes bread rise.
Yeasts are single-celled fungi. Yeasts grow in wet environments such as human skin and shower curtains. Yeasts grow naturally on human skin, but if they reproduce too fast they can cause disease.
Yeasts are used in many food products. The activity of yeast cells breaking down sugars is what makes bread rise.
Most fungi are helpful. Plants and fungi interact in a way that is helpful. The hyphae surround the plant roots, providing nutrients for the plants and the plant provides nutrients for the fungi. On the harmful side, many fungi produce toxins, harmful chemicals. In 1845, a fungus infected Ireland's potato crop, causing the population of Ireland to drop from 8 million to about 4 million.