Fungi are heterotrophic organisms that get their food from many different sources.  Some fungi are decomposers and play an essential role in the ecosystem by breaking down decaying matter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.  Other fungi are symbiotic and have formed a mutualistic relationship with their plant hosts.  For example, fungi help plants hold water or get minerals from the soil, and in return, they get sugar produced by the host plant cells.  Finally, many fungi are parasites that cause severe diseases in plants, and some even cause infections in humans.

Most fungi are eukaryotes with cell walls made of chitin, similar to that found in an insect’s exoskeleton.  Chitin forms a rigid cell wall that helps the fungi retain their shape.  Fungi, except for the simplest yeasts, have cells arranged in structures called hyphae.  Hyphae are made up of tiny threads of cytoplasm surrounded by a plasma membrane and covered by a cell wall made of chitin.  As they grow, the hyphae of a fungus branch form a mass called a mycelium, the body of the fungus.  Fungi absorb food through hyphae that grow into a food source.

Fungi usually reproduce by making spores.  The lightweight spores are surrounded by a protective covering and can easily be carried through air or water to new sites.  Spores in reproductive structures are called fruiting bodies, which fungi can make asexually or sexually.

There are three major groups of fungi: club fungi, sac fungi, and zygote fungi.  Club fungi, like mushrooms and puffs, produce spores in club-like structures.  Sac fungi, like yeasts and truffles, produce spores in sac-like structures. Finally, zygote fungi, like fruit and bread molds, produce very resistant spores and can stay dormant for long periods.

Review:

1. What is chitin?
2. Explain the structure of the body of a typical fungus.
3. Identify characteristics of club fungi.