characteristics of kingdom fungi

• Eukaryotic
• Heterotrophic
• Nutrition includes: saprobes, parasites, & mycorhizzae
• Mycorhizzae: ecto & endo
• Haploid dominant
• Basic unit is hyphae
• Mycelium is mat of hypha, like a spiderweb

Use of exoenzymes which digest outside of fungus
• Fungi use extra-cellular digestion
• Sexual reproduction costs lots of energy, therefore, will do
asexual mode if environment permits

coenocytic

cell not separated into individual cell cross walls

dikaryotic

two living nuclei not connecting

heterikaryotic

mix of dikarotic and coenocytic

phylum cryptomycota

hidden fungus found in marine and fresh waters

live with and w/o oxygen

most are parasites

phylum microsprodia

unicellular parasite of animals

nosema ceranae linked to honeybee hive collapse

no flagellated spores as seen in other basal fungi
(Chytridiomycota), has harpoon structure used to infect host

produce cell wall of chitin

phylum CHYTRIDIOMYCOTA

found in lake and soil

saprobes and parasites

diverged in early fungal evolution

cell wall of chitin

• Has flagellated spores, zoospores, which is not a traditionally fungal
characteristic
• Batachochytrium dendrobatidis has been linked to amphibian decline

Mutualistic Symbiosis

Fungal partner is usually Ascomycota
• Fungus gives overall shape; retards water loss; brings in
phosphorous; protects partner from UV radiation
• Photosynthetic partner is either green algae or cyanobacteria
• Photosynthetic partner gives fungal member, sugar
• Each member usually cannot survive by itself
• Soredia are packets of both partners used in reproduction