fungi properties

1. What is the biggest organism ever?
Apatosaurus?
Coast redwood?
Blue whale?

2. None of the above – it’s a fungus
A single clone of the “honey mushroom”
Armillaria can cover more than 2,200 acres
(1,600 football fields)

3. Mycology
Study of
Fungi

4. Fungal Origins
Chlorophyta
Plantae
Ancestral eukaryote
Rhodophyta
Fungi
Diplomonadida
Parabasala
Euglenozoa
Alveolata Stramenopila
Cercozoa
Radiolaria
Amoebozoa
Animalia
Choanoflagellates
Figure 28.4

5. Fungal Form and Function
Anatomy
Hyphae and mycelium
Mycelium – interwoven mass of hyphae
Hyphae- thread-like
filaments, one cell thick
Reproductive
structure or
fruiting body

6. Fungal Form and Function
Anatomy
Hyphae and mycelium
Hyphae
Mycelium

7. Fungal Form and Function
Anatomy
Septate hypha
Aseptate hypha,
a.k.a. coenocytic
See Fig. 31.3

8. Fungal Form and Function
Anatomy
Cell walls
contain
chitin

9. Fungal Form and Function
Immobile adults

10. Fungal Form and Function
Unlike plants
and animals,
no distinct
embryo is
formed
during early
development

11. Fungal Form and Function
Nutrition
Chemoheterotrophic
Fungi exude exoenzymes that break down
organic molecules that the fungi can absorb
and use as a supply of both energy and
carbon

12. Fungal Form and Function
Nutrition
Chemoheterotrophic
Saprobic – if they digest dead organisms and
waste products
Parasitic – if they digest live organisms
Mutualistically symbiotic – form associations
with other organisms for mutual benefit

13. Fungal Life Cycles
Three ploidy types
Haploid – most fungal hyphae and all spores
have haploid nuclei
Diploid – diploid nuclei are found transiently
during the sexual phase (if present)
Heterokaryon – unfused nuclei from different
parents occupying the same unit of hypha

14. Fungal Life Cycles
Reproduction
Asexual – default mode under stable
conditions; spores are produced

15. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
Haploid (1n) spores
are produced by
mitosis
Spores are genetically
identical to original
mycelium
Spores disperse and
germinate to
produce new
myceliun
See Fig. 31.5

16. Fungal Form and Function
Reproduction
Asexual – default mode under stable
conditions; spores are produced
Sexual – usually only under stressful
conditions; spores are produced;
many mating types possible
(essentially like having many different
sexes or genders)

17. Sexual reproduction in fungi
zygotes (2n)
fusion of compatible hyphae
(plasmogamy)
+
–
hyphae (n)
fused hyphae (n + n)
fusion of nuclei
(karyogamy)
meiosis of
“zygote-like”
structures
dispersal of spores
zygote (2n)
sexual spores (n)
+
–
+
–

18. Sexual reproduction in fungi
Haploid spores may disperse long distances
away from the fruiting body

19. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Fusion of
compatible
hyphae
(plasmogamy)

20. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Fusion of
compatible
hyphae
(plasmogamy)
…initiates a
heterokaryotic
phase

21. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Fusion of
nuclei
(karyogamy)

22. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Fusion of
nuclei
(karyogamy)
…initiates a
zygotic phase

23. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Fusion of
nuclei
(karyogamy)
…initiates a
zygotic phase
…which is
perhaps best
described as
“zygote like”

24. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
See Fig. 31.5
Meiosis in
“zygote-like”
cells produces
spores or cells
that will
produce spores

25. Fungal Life Cycles
Key
Haploid (n)
Heterokaryotic
Diploid (2n)
PLASMOGAMY
(fusion of cytoplasm)
Heterokaryotic
stage
KARYOGAMY
(fusion of nuclei)
SEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
ASEXUAL
REPRODUCTION
Zygote
Mycelium
GERMINATION
GERMINATION
MEIOSIS
Spore-producing
structures
Spores
Both asexual & sexual
reproduction produce
haploid spores
See Fig. 31.5

26. Over 1000 additional
species described
each year
5 phyla
Fugal
Diversity
Over 100,000 species
described
Chytrids
Zygote
fungi
Arbuscular
mycorrhizal
fungi
Sac
fungi
Club
fungi
Chytridiomycota
Zygomycota
Glomeromycota
Ascomycota
Basidiomycota
Loss of flagella*
*Flagella may have been lost multiple
times in the fist two lineages
See Fig. 31.9

27. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Chytrids
Ancient group – diverged earliest from the
other fungi

28. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Chytrids
Ancient group – diverged earliest from the
other fungi
Aquatic –
the only fungi with flagellated spores
(zoospores)

29. Sexual reproduction in a chytrid:
flagellated spores
spores

30. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Chytrids
Ancient group – diverged earliest from the
other fungi
Aquatic –
the only fungi with flagellated spores
(zoospores)
Saprobic – majority
Parasitic – some

31. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Zygomycetes = Zygote fungi
Sexual reproduction via zygosporangia
(resistant heterokaryons) that produce
genetically variable spores

32. See Fig. 31.12
Key
Plasmogamy
Karyogamy
Meiosis
Black Bread Mold
Sexual reproduction
Asexual
reproduction
Mating type (+)
Mating type (-)
Zygosporangium
Haploid (1n)
Heterokaryotic (1n + 1n)
Diploid (2n)

33. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Zygomycetes = Zygote fungi
Sexual reproduction via zygosporangia
(resistant heterokaryons) that produce
genetically variable spores
Asexual reproduction via sporangia that
produce spores

34. See Fig. 31.12
Key
Plasmogamy
Karyogamy
Meiosis
Black Bread Mold
Sexual Reproduction
Asexual
Reproduction
Mating type (+)
Mating type (-)
Zygosporangium
Haploid (1n)
Heterokaryotic (1n + 1n)
Diploid (2n)

35. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Zygomycetes = Zygote fungi
Sexual reproduction via zygosporangia
(resistant heterokaryons) that produce
genetically variable spores
Asexual reproduction via sporangia that
produce spores
Mostly saprobic decayers of organic matter,
e.g., soft fruit rot fungi and black bread
mold

36. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Zygomycetes = Zygote fungi
Sexual reproduction via zygosporangia
(resistant heterokaryons) that produce
genetically variable spores
Asexual reproduction via sporangia that
produce spores
Mostly saprobic decayers of organic matter,
e.g., soft fruit rot fungi and black bread mold
Some parasites, e.g., single-celled
microsporidia

37. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Glomeromycetes = Arbuscular
mycorrhizae
Associated with ~90% of plant species

38. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi
Sexual reproduction via spores produced in
asci (sac-like cases)

39. See
Fig. 31.17
Key
Plasmogamy
Karyogamy
Meiosis
Neurospora Haploid (1n)
Heterokaryotic (1n + 1n)
Diploid (2n)
Sexual Reproduction
Asexual
Reproduction
Hyphae of mating type (+)
Conidia of mating type (-)
Ascocarp, ascus,
and ascospores

40. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi
Sexual reproduction via spores produced in
asci (sac-like cases)
Asexual reproduction via naked spores
(conidia)

41. See
Fig. 31.17
Key
Plasmogamy
Karyogamy
Meiosis
Neurospora: an ascomycete Haploid (1n)
Heterokaryotic (1n + 1n)
Diploid (2n)
Sexual Reproduction
Asexual
Reproduction
Hyphae of mating type (+)
Conidia of mating type (-)
Ascocarp, ascus,
and ascospores

42. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi
Many saprobic species,
e.g., Scarlet cups

43. Many parasites,
especially of plants, but
also of animals, e.g.,
Candida yeasts
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

44. Many symbionts with
plants, e.g., truffles
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

45. Morels – Delicacy or
deadly
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

46. Sources of many
interesting chemicals
E.g., Penicillium – the
source of penicillin
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

47. Sources of many
interesting chemicals
E.g., the source of LSD
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

48. The yeasts used to brew
beer…
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

49. …and bake breads and
pizza crusts…
Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Ascomycetes = Sac fungi

50. …but the mushrooms
that top your pizza come
from a different phylum…
Classification of Fungi

51. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Include:
common mushroom, puffballs,
stink horns, shelf fungi,
plant-parasitic smuts & rusts

53. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Include:
common mushroom, puffballs,
stink horns, shelf fungi,
plant-parasitic smuts & rusts
Sexual reproduction via club-shaped
reproductive structures, basidia,
containing basidiospores

54. See
Fig.
31.20
Key
Plasmogamy
Karyogamy
Meiosis
A mushroom-forming
basidiomycete
Haploid (1n)
Heterokaryotic (1n + 1n)
Diploid (2n)
Sexual Reproduction
Mating type (+)
Mating type (-)
Basidia with
basidiospores
Basidiocarp

55. Classification of Fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Include:
common mushroom, puffballs,
stink horns, shelf fungi,
plant-parasitic smuts & rusts
Sexual reproduction via club-shaped
reproductive structures, basidia,
containing basidiospores
Asexual reproduction is uncommon

56. Fruiting bodies of the
“inky cap” mushroom
Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi

57. Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Basidia are generally found on the surface
of gills gills
basidiospores

58. Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Basidia are generally found on the surface
of gills
Amanita
spore pattern

59. Giant puffball Shelf fungi
Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi

60. Phylum: Basidiomycetes = Club fungi
Parasitic corn smut

61. Classification of Fungi
Deuteromycetes - Imperfect Fungi
Eclectic group of unclassified species

62. Classification of Fungi
Deuteromycetes - Imperfect Fungi
Eclectic group of unclassified species
Sexual structures unknown (i.e., no
flagellated spores, zygosporangia,
asci, or basidia), so these haven’t been
classified

63. Classification of Fungi
Deuteromycetes - Imperfect Fungi
Eclectic group of currently unclassified species
Sexual structures unknown (i.e., no
flagellated spores, zygosporangia,
asci, or basidia), so these haven’t been
classified
Includes many molds and mildews
(which demonstrates that
certain commonly recognized “groups”
are not good phylogenetic groups)

64. Functional Biology of Fungi
Molds
Many rapidly growing, asexually reproducing
fungi (mostly ascomycetes and basidiomycetes)
Ecosystems on Earth would collapse without the
molds and mildews (plus many bacteria) that
break down organic matter into inorganic nutrients

65. Yeasts
Many unicellular fungi that inhabit liquid or
moist surfaces and reproduce asexually
Functional Biology of Fungi
Occur in the Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes &
Zygomycetes
Free-living, parasitic, and mutualistic symbiotic
forms exist

66. Functional Biology of Fungi
Mycorrhizae
Symbiotic associations with plants
(representatives known from all fungal phyla, not
just Glomeromycetes)

67. Functional Biology of Fungi
Lichens
Obligate symbiotic associations with algae or
cyanobacteria

68. Functional Biology of Fungi
Parasites
Ringworm
Chestnut blight

69. Functional Biology of Fungi
Toxin producers
Aflatoxin

70. Functional Biology of Fungi
Biotic control agents
The first antibiotic used by humans
Staphylococcus
Penicillium
Zone of
inhibited
growth

71. Functional Biology of Fungi
Biotic control agents
Used against termites, rice weevils, etc.

72. Functional Biology of Fungi
Interesting example…
of agriculture in insects
Leaf-cutter ants cut
and carry leaf fragments
to their nests where the
fragments are used to
farm fungi

73. Functional Biology of Fungi
Interesting example… of fungal cowboys
Some soil fungi
snare nematode
worms in hyphal
nooses and then
digest them
unlucky nematode
fungal hypha

74. Functional Biology of Fungi
Interesting example… of fungi & conservation
The golden toad became
extinct within the past 20
years, owing to anthropogenic
environmental deterioration,
which also facilitated
pathogenic chytrid fungi