The Kingdom FungiSection 21-1

What Are Fungi?EukaryoticHeterotrophic: digest food outside of their bodies, then absorb itCell walls made of chitin

Structure & Function of FungiMulticellular, except for yeastComposed of hyphae (thin filaments one cell thick)

Structure & Function of FungiBody composed of mycelium (many hyphae tangled together)Fruiting body: reproductive structure growing from the mycelium

Reproduction in FungiMost asexually and sexuallyAsexualcells or hyphae break off and grow on their ownSpores

Reproduction in Fungi

Sexual2 different mating types: plus and minusHyphae fuse & form diploid zygote nucleusEnters meiosis and produces haploid spores

How Fungi SpreadSpores scattered by windSome lure animals to disperse sporesStinkhorns: smell like rotting meat to attract flies

Ecology of FungiSection 21-3

All Fungi Are HeterotrophsSaprobes: obtain food from decaying organic matterParasites: harm hostsSymbionts: live in close and mutually beneficial association with other species

Fungi as ParasitesPlant diseasesCorn smut: destroys corn kernelsMildewsWheat rustHuman diseasesAthletes footRingwormYeast infections