Fungi

Fungi
- Characteristics of Fungi
  - basics
    - heterotrophs - absorb organic molecules
    - eukaryotic (membrane bound nucleus)
    - lack mobility
    - cell walls have chitin
      - same as arthropod exoskelton
      - polymer of "sugar ring with N"
    - reproductive unit = spore (non-swimming)
  - "vegetative"
    - basic structure
      - hypha - microscopic thread of cells, grows at tips
      - cross walls with pores, allows transport
      - mycelium = mass of hyphae
    - requirements for life
      - oxygen (a few anaerobic)
      - energy source (organic material)
      - nutrients
      - temperature (0 - 40C)
      - moisture
      - UV protection
      - pH level (acidic) - enzymes
  - reproductive
    - fragmentation
    - spores
      - assexual
      - sexual
- Role of Fungi (mode of life)
  - saprophytic
  - parasitic
  - symbiotic
- Taxonomy (classification)
  - KPCOFGS - Fungi Kingdom
    - OOmycetes (not fungus?)
      - assex spores swims, sex spore immotile
      - e.g. Phytophthora (potato famine, sudden oak death), water moulds, damping-off (young roots)
    - ZYGOmycetes
      - air bourne spores
      - e.g. some mycorrhizae
    - ASCOmycetes
      - air bourne spores, 8 in a sac
      - e.g. foliar, canker, vascular wilts
    - BASIDIOmycetes
      - air bourne spores
      - 4 spores on a club
      - two groups
        
        decays & root rots
        
        rusts
    - DEUTEROmycetes
      - no sex (yet)
      - likely to become ASCO
- Nomenclature
  - genus species (author)
  - sex gets precedence
- Simplified Life Cycle of a Fungal Pathogen