THE FUNGI KINGDOM
*The Fungi Kingdom:
→Fungi are eukaryotic and mostly multicellular organisms. (except unicellular yeasts)
→They do not have roots, leaves, vascular tissues and chloroplasts.
→They have root-like structure which is called rhizoid.
→They have cell wall which made of chitin. (in some of them made of cellulose)
→They have multiple-nuclei usually two.
→They store excess glucose as glycogen.
→Their cells sequencing form fibrious structure which is called hypha.
→Network of hyphae form the structure of mycelium.
→Some of species have flagellated spores which are called zoospores.
The nutrition of fungi:
→Fungi are heterotrophic organisms.
→They cannot produce their own food.
→The nutrition of fungi are divided into three groups: saprophytic, parasitic and mutualistic.
→Saprophytic fungi feed on dead organisms.
→Parasitic fungi are harmful and causes diseases.
→Mutualistic fungi live with an organism and both of them benefit from the relationship.
Examples: Lichen, mycorrhiza
The reproduction of fungi:
→The reproduction of fungi divided into two groups: asexually and sexually.
→They reproduce asexually by spores, budding and fragmentation of the hyphae.
→They reproduce sexually by mating of hyphae filaments.
The classification of fungi:
→The fungi are divided into five groups: Chytridiomycota, zygomycota, glomeromycota, ascomycota and
basidiomycota.
Chytridiomycota (chytrids):
→They are unique among fungi in having flagellated spores, which called zoospores.
Zygomycota (common molds):
Examples: Bread and fruits molds
Glomeromyocota:
→Some of them form mycorrhizal associations with plants.
Ascomycota (sac fungi):
Examples: Yeasts, truffles, morels
→Some of species form mycorrhizal associations with plants and some of species form lichens with algae
or cyanobacteria.
→Some of species are edible. (Morchella esculenta)
→Some of species uses to make antibiotic. (Penicillium)
Basidiomycota (club fungi):
Examples: Mushrooms, smuts, puffballs, brackets
→Some of species are edible and some of species are poisonous.
→Some of species form lichens with algae or cyanobacteria.
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