Chapter 12

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms that lack chlorophyll and vascular tissue. They can be unicellular yeasts or multicellular molds made of filamentous hyphae. Fungi obtain nutrients from dead or living organic matter through secretion of enzymes. While many fungi are saprophytes, some are parasites of plants or animals. Fungi reproduce both sexually through spores and asexually through budding or fragmentation. Spores help fungi disperse through wind or other means. Both beneficial and pathogenic fungi are described.