LIFE CYCLE
What are the types of reproduction?
What are the cell walls of fungi made of?
Chitin
Septate and aseptate
What are the three main Phyla?
1. Phylum Zygomycota
2. Phylum Ascomycota
3. Phylum Basidiomycota
What product is used for fermentation in baking?
Yeast
Name a similarity in Fungi's Life Cycle.
-both cycles begin with a vegetative haploid mycelium (n)
-involve mitosis for growth/spore dissemination
-result in the dispersion of spores that germinate into new hyphae.
Explain the body structure of a fungi.
What cellular organelles does hyphae contain? (Give 3)
Hyphae has cellular organelles such as cell wall, plasma membrane, nuclei, mitochondria, ribosomes and other organelles.
What is the utilization of sporangiophores?
Sporangiophores are utilized to elevate and support the spore-producing structures for effective aerial dispersal.
A fungi that can cause diseases in humans and another that can cause diseases in plants.
Ringworm, Powdery Mildew/Blackspots
Explain the general asexual reproduction process of fungi.
Mitosis, Germination
How do fungi obtain nutrients?
Obtain nutrients by absorption, they secrete digestive enzymes externally onto food sources, then absorb the broken-down nutrients
What is the drawback behind mycelia?
It is highly prone to drying out due to significant loss in water, this is why fungus are mainly found in moist areas.
Why can fungi be considered both beneficial and harmful organisms?
Fungi are beneficial because they act as decomposers, form symbiotic relationships with plants, and are used in food and medicine. However, some fungi are harmful because they can cause diseases in plants, animals, and humans.
A difference between asexual and sexual reproduction in fungi.
Asexual reproduction
-rapid, requires only one parent
-involves no fusion of cells or genetic recombination
-relies strictly on mitosis to produce clonal spores.
Sexual reproduction
-requires two compatible mating types (+ and -)
-features cellular and nuclear fusion
-includes a unique dikaryotic phase (n+n)
-undergoes meiosis to create genetically diverse spores.
Why is fungi non-motile?
Chitin physically stops the cell from changing shape or developing locomotory appendages.
What would happen to the protection of hyphae if septa is not present?
Lack of septa allows pathogens or toxins to spread throughout the entire organism.
Compare the use of fungi in medicine and food production
Fungi are used in medicine to produce important compounds such as antibiotics, for example penicillin. In food production, fungi such as yeast are used in fermentation, while other fungi are involved in products such as bread and certain cheeses.
Explain the general sexual reproduction process of fungi.
Plasmogamy, Karyogamy. Meiosis, Germination
Why are yeasts unicellular?
To have maximum efficiency in liquid & sugar-rich environment and evolutionary reduction for rapid reproduction.
Comparison of movement of nutrients between Septate and Aseptate.
Septate moves between cells through pores, Aseptate moves freely throughout hyphae.
Why are fungi important even though they cannot produce their own food?
They obtain nutrients by decomposing organic matter or forming relationships with other organisms, and in doing so they contribute to nutrient cycling and ecosystem functioning.