THE FUNGUS AMONG US

KINGDOM FUNGI

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms– Club: Typical

shape of “mushroom,” with spores on gills

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms– Club– Cup: Spores

are in cup instead of gills

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms• Molds

– Often found on food and decaying plant material.

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms

• Molds

• Yeasts– Unicellular

fungi, reproduces by budding

More than just Mushrooms…

• Mushrooms• Molds• Yeast

• Lichens– Grow on rocks

and wood, a combination of a fungus and an algae.

CAP

CAP SCALES

CAP SCALES

GILLS

CAP SCALES

RING (ANNULUS)GILLS

CAP SCALES

RING (ANNULUS)GILLS

STALK (STIPE)

CAP SCALES

RING (ANNULUS)GILLS

CUP (VOLVA)

STALK (STIPE)

CAP SCALES

RING (ANNULUS)GILLS

CUP (VOLVA)

STALK (STIPE)

MYCELLIUM (HYPHAE)

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills

Stalk or Stipe

Spore

Hyphae

Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTION

STRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe

Spore

Hyphae

Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap

Spore

Hyphae

Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap

Spore Cell that develops into a new organism

Hyphae

Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap

Spore Cell that develops into a new organism

Hyphae Threadlike structure built of fungal cells

Mycellium

STRUCTURE AND FUNCTIONSTRUCTURE FUNCTION

Cap Covers and protects the gills

Gills Contains hyphae that produce spores

Stalk or Stipe Supports the Cap

Spore Cell that develops into a new organism

Hyphae Threadlike structure built of fungal cells

Mycellium Body of fungus (except spores) made of tangled hyphae

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Decomposition

– Organic material is recycled by bacteria and fungi. It is broken down into its original components like Carbon and Nitrogen.

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Decomposition

– Example: Pilobolus fungi decomposes dung of grazing animals. Unique for its ability to “aim” at the light and “shoot” its spore packet so it will land on grass and be eaten by another grazing animal. The entire life cycle is then repeated.

Pilobolus

Pilobolus

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Symbiosis

• Mycorrhizal Fungi: Symbiotic fungi that live in or around roots of plants. They get food (sugar) from the plant in exchange for water and nutrients.

• It is estimated that 99.9% of all plants have a fungal partner.

Mycorrhizal Fungi

Benefits of a Fungal Partner

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Pathogens

• Some fungi are parasitic, causing damage or death to plants, animals, and even other fungi!

• Can cause severe damage to many crop plants including corn, wheat, potatoes, and fruits.

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

Harmful Fungi

ROLES OF FUNGI:Medicines

– Penicillin: Alexander Fleming discovered that mold could kill bacteria in 1928. During WWII (1940’s) the drug we know today was developed.

ROLES OF FUNGI:Medicines

–New antibiotics are still being derived from fungi by people like Dr. Gary Strobel of Montana State University.

ROLES OF FUNGI:• Food

– Several Mushrooms are used in our food…. Pizza anyone?!

– Specialty Cheeses like Blue Cheese, Brie, etc.

– Bread, Beer, and Wine are made with yeast.