Chapter 18 FungusmHkC2JM53c 4 Characteristics of Fungi Multicellular (except yeast) Eukaryotes Heterotrophs Cell walls of chitin (polysaccharide) Fungi are adapted for nutrition by absorption hyphae: tiny threads of cytoplasm surrounded by a membrane and a cell wall Cell walls made of chitin Mycelium mycelium(mycelia): interwoven mat of hyphae Function: - Feeding structure -Maximizes surface area for absorption of food Nutrition absorptive nutrition: fungus absorbs small organic molecules from its surroundings How fungi digest food? Secretes enzymes Enzymes break down food so they can be absorbed Food sources Dead organisms, some parasitic Reproduction spores: reproductive cell Spread by wind or water Sac Fungi Club Fungi Example: Agaricus Bisporus (commercial mushroom) Yeast MolduKjBIBBAL8 Mmmmm. cheesy Lichen lichen: mutualistic pairing of a fungus and an alga Photosynthetic algae feed the fungus Fungal mycelium provides a good habitat Mycorrhizae Symbiotic relationship between fungal hyphae and plant roots Fungus provides water and nutrients, plant provides sugar Mushrooms around trees Disease-causing fungi 30% of fungi are parasitic Yeast infections Ringworm Athletes Foot