2. Characteristics of Fungi
 Eukaryotic
 Cell walls contain carbohydrate-chitin
 Multicellular (except yeast)
 Reproduce- asexually/sexually (spores)
 Heterotrophic – absorption ” digest
then ingest” (hyphae)
 Mostly immobile (sessile)

3. Basic Structure of a

Fungus
The body of fungus made
thin strands called
hyphae.
 As hyphae grow, form
tangled mass called
mycelium.
 Hyphae grow on/in
“ food source” releasing
enzymes that digest food
outside their body.
 Hyphae 1 cell thick-
facilitates
diffusion/absorption.

4. Hyphae Mycelium 
Mushroom

5. Reproduction
 Fungi produce spores
 Spores = reproductive cells
 Spores withstand harsh conditions
by becoming dormant
 Favorable conditions cause spores
form new fungus
 Spores made both asexually and
sexually
 Fungi reproduce asexually when
environmental conditions are
favorable.
 Fungi reproduce sexually when
environmental conditions are
unfavorable.
 Fungi do not have male/female-
instead “ +” and “ -” mating types.

6. Groups of Fungi
 Fungi classified 4 major groups based
on their sexual reproductive
structure:
1) Zygomycota
2) Ascomycota
3) Basidiomycota
4) Deuteromycota

7. Phylum Zygomycota
 Smallest group
 “ Molds” - ex) bread mold
 Specialized hyphae:
-rhizoids: “ roots”
penetrate/anchor fungus to
bread, release enzymes
digest food source, and
absorb nutrients
 Asexual reproduction:
sporangiophores: hyphae that
grow up into the air produce
sporangium store spores.
 Spores usually carried by air
 Sexual reproduction:
zygospore formed when +/-
hyphae fuse

8. Phylum Ascomycota (sac
 Largest Group
fungi)
 ex) yeast, mildew, morels, truffles, cup fungi
 Asexual Reproduction: hyphae called conidiophores produce conidia
(spores)
 Sexual Reproduction: form spores called ascospores in “ saclike”
structures called an ascus
 Each ascus bursts open shooting spores into the air

9. Phylum Basidiomycota (club
 fungi)
ex) mushrooms, toadstools, bracket fungi
 The part of the mushroom that lives above ground is called
the “ fruiting body.”
 Rarely reproduce asexually
 Sexual Reproduction: spores called basidiospores form
under caps of mushrooms on structures called basidia

10. Phylum Deuteromycota
 ex) Penicillin, many
disease causing
fungi.
 No sexual phase in
life cycle
 Spores are
produced asexually.

11. Harmful Fungi
 Parasites (+/-)
cause disease in
plants and
humans
 Plants: corn
smut, mildew,
wheat rust
 Humans:
athlete’s foot,
ringworm,
histoplasmosis

12. Helpful Fungi
1) Decomposers
2) Food and food production (yeast)
3) Antibiotics: Penicillin/Erythromycin

13. Helpful Fungi (cont.)
4) Mutalistic relationship (+/+) with plants
 Mycorrhizae – plant root and mycelium fungi
 Plant provides food from doing photosynthesis
 Fungus absorb water/minerals and breaks down
nutrients in soil

14. Helpful Fungi (cont.)
5) Lichens - mutualistic relationship, fungus and
cyanobacteria/algae
 Cyanobacteria/algae provides food from doing photosynthesis
 Fungus absorb water/minerals