Zygomycetes are fungi that reproduce sexually through the fusion of gametes to form zygospores and asexually through sporangia. They have rhizoids that absorb nutrients, stolons that connect structures, and sporangiophores that bear sporangia. During the life cycle, asexual reproduction produces spores for germination while sexual reproduction involves the fusion of haploid gametes from different mating types. Zygomycetes can be pathogenic, commensal, or parasitic and are used for biological control, in some food fermentations, and to produce metabolites.

1. ZYGOMYCETES Regalado, Leyretana, Villafuerte, Brillantes, Tagum, Bajamundi

3. They are distinguished by their sexual reproduction involving zygospores in gametangial fusion and asexual reproduction involving sporangia.

4. There are over 1000 discovered species of Zygomycota.

5. Zygomycetes lack hyphal cell walls except in isolated reproductive structures.

8. During asexual reproduction, spores are released from the sporangium of the zygomycete.

9. The released spores germinate if they are given favorable conditions of moisture and temperature.

11. When these two hyphae meet, they form a gametangiain which haploid gametes are produced.

12. The haploid gametes fuse to form a diploid nuclei, while developing a thick wall called zygospore in the process.

13. When given favorable conditions, the zygospore germinates and then develops into a hypha. The zygomycete is already in the process of meiosis.

17. Zygomycetes can also form commensalism. A zygomycete called Harpellalesattaches itself to the back of the Chilean blackfly and feeds on nutrients the blackfly cannot utilize

19. Fermentations of some Asian foods use zygomycota.

20. Zygomycetes can also be used to produce metabolites such as amylases, rennins, alcohol, and various organic acidsFermentations- The process by which complex organic compounds, such as glucose, are broken down by the action of enzymes into simpler compounds.

22. http://tolweb.org/Zygomycota

23. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zygomycota

24. Prentice Hall “Biology” by Miller and Levine (5th Edition)

25. http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/microorganisms/fungi/section3.rhtml

26. http://creationwiki.org/Zygomycota