Zygomycetes are fungi that belong to the Phylum Zygomycota. They are distinguished by their sexual reproduction involving zygospores in gametangial fusion and asexual reproduction involving sporangia. There are over 1000 discovered species of Zygomycota.

1. ZYGOMYCET
ES
Regalado, Leyretana, Villafuerte, Brillantes, Tagum, Bajamundi

2. WHAT IS A ZYGOMYCETE?
Zygomycetes are fungi that belong to the Phylum
Zygomycota.
They are distinguished by their sexual reproduction
involving zygospores in gametangial fusion and asexual
reproduction involving sporangia.
There are over 1000 discovered species of
Zygomycota.
Zygomycetes lack hyphal cell walls except in isolated
reproductive structures.
Zygomycetes are also called common molds because
of their habit of growing on bread and other food.

3. STRUCTUREOF A
ZYGOMYCETE Rhizoids
Rhizoids are root-like
hyphae of a
zygomycete that
latches onto surfaces
which they feed on.
It also releases
digestive enzymes for
it to absorb organic
material.
Stolon
The stolon of a
zygomycete is a
horizontal, stem-like
hypha that extends
along the surface and
connects rhizoids and
sporangiophores
altogether.
Sporangiophore
Sporangiophores are
specialized branches
bearing one or more
sporangia.
Sporangia
Sporangia produces
spores during asexual
reproduction. When it
has enough spores,
the sporangia opens
and releases up to
40,000 spores for
germination.

4. Life cycle OF A
ZYGOMYCETEZygomycetes are capable of both sexual and asexual
reproduction.
During asexual reproduction, spores are released
from the sporangium of the zygomycete.
The released spores germinate if they are given
favorable conditions of moisture and temperature.
During germination, the spores form new masses of
hyphae.

5. Life cycle OF A
ZYGOMYCETEDuring sexual reproduction, hyphae of different
mating types (+ and -) come together.
When these two hyphae meet, they form a
gametangia in which haploid gametes are produced.
The haploid gametes fuse to form a diploid nuclei,
while developing a thick wall called zygospore in the
process.
When given favorable conditions, the zygospore
germinates and then develops into a hypha. The
zygomycete is already in the process of meiosis.
The hypha develops into a sporangia.

6. Life cycle OF A
ZYGOMYCETEThe sporangia then, produces spores which grow into
new zygomycetes.
Take note that sexual reproduction in zygomycetes is
more advantageous than asexual reproduction because
in this way, new combinations of genetic information
are formed, increasing diversity within the species.

7. Life cycle OF A
ZYGOMYCETE

8. Interactions with other organisms
Zygomycetes are usually harmful to humans and other living
things as they are pathogens of sickness such as zygomycosis, a
rare, fungal infection that can harm the fetus.
Zygomycetes can also form commensalism. A zygomycete
called Harpellales attaches itself to the back of the Chilean
blackfly and feeds on nutrients the blackfly cannot utilize
Some zygomycetes are parasites to plants, animals, amoebas
and other fungi and often causes disease outbreaks. For
example, the sporangium of Mucorales specializes on infecting
other fungi such as mushrooms.

9. Interactions with other organisms
Zygomycetes are also parasitic to fruits, bread and other
sources where they can get energy by decomposing organic
matter

10. Applications of ZYGOMYCETEs
Due to its parasitic nature, humans used them as pest control.
Some of this pathogenicity is being tapped for use in the
biological control of specific insect pests, including periodical
cicadas.
Fermentations of some Asian foods use zygomycota.
Zygomycetes can also be used to produce metabolites such as
amylases, rennins, alcohol, and various organic acids
Fermentations- The process by
which complex organic
compounds, such as glucose, are
broken down by the action of
enzymes into simpler compounds.

11. Resources
http://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Zygomycota
http://tolweb.org/Zygomycota
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygomycota
Prentice Hall “Biology” by Miller and Levine (5th Edition)
http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/microorganisms/fungi/se
ction3.rhtml
http://creationwiki.org/Zygomycota