Fungi are classified as a separate kingdom from plants and animals. They are made up of branching threads called hyphae. Yeasts differ from typical fungi in that they are single-celled. Penicillium and yeasts are classified as higher fungi, with Penicillium having septated hyphae and yeasts lacking hyphae. Penicillium produces useful enzymes and is used in the production of foods like cheese and antibiotics. Yeasts like Saccharomyces cerevisiae are single-celled and used in breadmaking.

1. FUNGI Yeasts and Penicillium

2. FUNGI Fungi are classified as a separate kingdom The typical fungus is not made of cells but of tiny branching threads called hyphae Yeasts are not typical fungi!

3. FUNGI The mass of hyphae that makes up one individual fungus is called its mycelium The hyphae are bounded by a plasma membrane and have a cell wall. In higher fungi the main component of the cell wall is chitin

4. FUNGI Fungi are eukaryotic organisms (unlike bacteria) They never contain chloroplasts All are heterotrophic; most a saprophytic; a few are parasitic

5. FUNGI Saprophytic fungi are of enormous ecological importance. Unlike most bacteria they can produce cellulases and lignases They can also taste exceptionally good!

7. FUNGI Penicillium and yeasts are classed as higher fungi This means that the hyphae are septate (in Penicillium – yeast don’t have hyphae having a cellular structure)

8. FUNGI Penicillium is a fungus with many useful enzymes at its disposal to attack a host of organic foodstuffs. . It is partial to bread, cheese, cold meats, old sandwiches, cereal products and a host of other things .

9. FUNGI Penicillium roquefortii used in the manufacture of blue cheese. The blue in the blue-cheese is caused by the pigment in the spores (conidia) of the fungus. You are consuming spores by the million when you eat blue cheese. Hope it doesn't put you off! Penicillium notatum and P. chrysogenum are used in the production of the antibiotic penicillin.

10. FUNGI Penicillium has feeding hyphae, which divide into branches through its substrate. It also has aeriel hyphae called condiophores which branch to form sterigma.

11. FUNGI Cytoplasm oozes from the tips of the sterigma This hardens to form chains of green-grey condiospores. These are dispersed by air currents and can each germinate to form a hypha on a suitable medium.

12. Penicillium notatum

13. FUNGI YEAST Saccharomyces cerevisiae – used in bread making Saccharomyces ellipsoideus – used in wine making Saccharomyces carlsbergensis – used in lager making Differ form each other by only one gene

14. FUNGI YEAST Ellipsoid in shape Permeable cell wall composed of mannose and glucose polymers Full range of eukaryotic organelles

15. FUNGI YEAST One or more large vacuoles occupy a central position in the cell Storage materials such as glycogen and oil globules are often present in the cytoplasm

17. FUNGI Yeast Under conditions unfavourable for growth the yeast can undergo meiosis and produce haploid spores that act like gametes They usually reproduce asexually by budding