mycology

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BIO361: MYCOLOGY
RATIONALE
Mycology is the study of fungi, which are heterogeneous assemblage of eukaryotic
micro-organisms and presently a favoured group of organisms for research at the
cellular and molecular level. Species of fungi worldwide are estimated to number
more than one million, however most of them are yet to be discovered and their
biology and ecological functions remains unknown
Both the yeast and mycelial fungi, in recent years have become a focus of intense
study because of their beneficial use in biotechnological application on processes
related to industry, agriculture and ecology
This course examines the structures and utra-structure of fungi, the dymanics of the
fungi groups, their physiology, and nutrition metabolism and reproduction. It also
gives an over view of the different mechanisms of fungi dispersal in the environment
OBJECTIVES:
1. Justify the basis for giving fungi their own kingdom
2. Describe the structure and ultra- structures of a typical fungi
3. Describe the physiological processes in relation to growth and reproduction of
fungi
4. Discuss the dynamics of growth in filamentous fungus and yeast cells.
5. Discuss the benefits and disadvantages of extra- cellular nutrition of fungi
6. Describe the importance of metabolic pathways in fungi
7. Explain why fungi can tolerate extremes of environment conditions
8. Explain genetic variation in fungi using various genetic systems
9. Identify appropriate methods for isolation and culturing of specific fungi
Pre-requisites: BIO232 AND CHE 212
COURSE CONTENTS

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Structure and fine structures: Fungi hyphae as a colony, fungal walls (architecture
and sepa), membranes and membrane bound organelles nuclei and unclear
associated microtubules: cytoplasmic streaming.
Specialized vegetative and reproductive structure: Appressoria Hyphopodia
sclerotia rihzomorphs and mycelial strands
Differentiation: mould yeast dimorphism of asexual spores
Nutrition: Extra cellular enzymes, implication of extracellular nutrition, carbon
metabolism and energy requirement( cellulose digestion as it relates to endo-B-
glucanase and –B-glucosidase enzymes), hydrocarbons and man-made materials
such as plastics, pesticides as mojor pollutants. Inorganic nutrients and their effects
growth regulation of nutrients uptake, biotrophs and nectrotrophs
Metabolism Energy production ( Emdden- Myerhof-parna pathway (EMP) Hexose
monophosphate pathway (HMP) and the Enter-Doudoroff (ED) pathway) supply of
cellular metabolites; translocation and storage compounds; biosynthsis of chitin,
lysine and secondary metabolites.
Growth: Apical growth mechanism of apical growth, mechanism of vesicles to the
apex of a hypha: formation of hyphal apex, fungal branching and growth kinetics:
Batch and continuous cultures and their applications: Yeasts: structure and cell cycle.
Environmental conditions for fungal growth. Tolerance of extremes conditions
(temperature hydrogen ion concentration, aeration, water and light)
Asexual and sexual reproduction: Sporangial and conidial formation; plasmogamy,
karyogamy, homothallic and heterothallic reproduction; hormonal system
(antheridiol, oogoniol, and trisporic acid
Genetic systems: sexual recombination (conjugation and compatibility)
parthenogenesis and other by pass mechanism, sexual reproduction in

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basidiomycotina alternative gene system (heterokaryosis, parasexuality, yeast
plasmids.
Spores Dispersal: Spores band their dispersal coprophilous fungi, insect dispersal,
dispersal by water and wind, succession of fungi on dead organic matter.
SUGGESTED PRACTICAL WORK
1. The slide culture method.
2. The mechanism of extension growth.
3. Growth measurement( agar and both methods)
4. Metabolism of carbohydrate and inorganic nutrients studying the aquatic and
terrestrial fungus flora.
5. Inducing sporulation in fungi using light.
6. Dispersal mechanisms eg philobolus )
7. Antifungal and antibacterial properties of fungi.
TIME ALLOCATION
 Two 2-hours lectures per week
 One (1) 3-hours practical session per week
ASSESSMENT
 Continuous assessment (CA): 40%
 Final Examination: 60%
Task description Weights

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Assignments 10%
Tests 20%
Practical reports 10%
One theory exam paper 60%
Prescribed book.
1. Kendrich ,B 1992. The fifth Kingdom. Focus information group . inc.
Recommended books.
1. Cairney W.G and chambers. S.M 1999. Ectomicorrhizal fungi. University of
western Sydne, Nepean ,NSW Australia.
2. Deacon J.W 1984. Introduction to modern mycology English language book
society /Blackwell science.
3. Elizabeth moore-landecker. 1972. Fundamentals of the fungi 4th
ed prentice
hall upper saddle River NewJersey .
4. Howard R.J and Gow, N.A.R ( eds )2001. The mycota volume 8 Biology of the
fungi cell springer.
5. Veshishta, B.R and Sinha, A.K 2005. Botany for degree students –fungi S.
chand and company ltd India.

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6. Alexopoulos, C.J mines C. and Blackwell m.1996 introductory mycology.4th
ed
john wiley &sons.