Kingdom Fungi

The Characteristics of Fungi

 The Characteristics of Fungi
1)Eukaryotes - true nucleus and other organelles present.
2) Non-Photosynthetic organisms
Most fungi are 3)multicellular heterotrophs (cant make
own food)
4)Cell wall present, composed of cellulose and/or chitin.
5)Food storage - generally in the form of lipids and glycogen.
Fungi can be 6)both microscopic and macroscopic common
macroscopic varieties are molds and mushrooms
All fungi require 7)water and oxygen to grow & reproduce.
Fungi grow in 8)almost every habitat imaginable, as long as
there is some type of organic matter present and the
environment is not too extreme.
* 9)Saprophytes or saprobes - fungi feed
on dead tissues or organic waste
(decomposers)
* Fungi can sometimes attack the tissues
of living plants and animals and cause
disease.
* 10)Fungi disease is a major concern for
humans because fungi attack not only us
but also our food sources, making fungi
competitors with humans for nutrients
* 11)Mold spores can cause mild to serious
allergies. Spores can be airborne , be inhaled,
and trigger an allergic reaction
Fungi as Saprobes and
Decomposers
 12)Molds
A)Rapid growth
B)Asexual spores
C)Many human
importances
* Food spoilage
* Food products
* Antibiotics, etc.

Noble Rot - Botrytis

Fig 31.21 Antibiotic activity
Fungi as 13)Parasites &
Pathogens
 Fungi are Spore-ific!!!
14) Spores - asexual (product
of mitosis) or sexual (product
of meiosis) in origin.
Purpose of Spores
* Allows the fungus to move
to new food source.
* Resistant stage - allows
fungus to survive periods
of adversity.
* Means of introducing new
genetic combinations into a
population
 Reproduce by spores
15)Spores are reproductive cells
* A)Sexual (meiotic in origin)
* B)Asexual (mitotic in origin)

Penicillium hyphae
with conidia
Pilobolus sporangia
Amanita fruiting body
Sac fungi diversity
Bioluminescence in Mycena
 16)Yeasts
Single celled fungi
Adapted to liquids
* Plant saps
* Water films
* Moist animal tissues

Candida
Saccharomyces
HUMAN-FUNGUS INTERACTIONS
17)Beneficial Effects of Fungi
* A)Decomposition - nutrient and carbon recycling.
* B)Biosynthetic factories. Can be used to produce drugs,
antibiotics, alcohol, acids, food (e.g., fermented products,
mushrooms).
* Model organisms for biochemical and genetic studies.

18)Harmful Effects of Fungi

* A)Destruction of food, lumber, paper, and cloth.
* B)Animal and human diseases, including allergies.
* C)Toxins produced by poisonous mushrooms and within food
(e.g., grain, cheese, etc.).
* D)Plant diseases.
 19)Fungal Infections
A)Athlete's Foot
Athlete's foot, also called tinea pedis, is a fungal infection
of the foot. It causes peeling, redness, itching, burning, and
sometimes blisters and sores.

Athlete's foot is a very common infection. The fungus

grows best in a warm, B)moist environment such as
shoes, socks, swimming pools, locker rooms, and the
floors of public showers. It is most common in the
summer and in warm, humid climates. It occurs more
often in people who wear tight shoes and who use
community baths and pools.
 What Causes Athletes Foot?
Athlete's foot is caused by a microscopic fungus that
lives on dead tissue of the hair, toenails, and outer skin
layers.
What Are the Symptoms of Athlete's Foot?
Signs and symptoms of athlete's foot vary from person to
person. However, common symptoms include:
Peeling, cracking, and scaling of the feet
Redness, blisters, or softening and breaking down of
the skin
Itching, burning, or both
 How Is Athlete's Foot Treated?
C)Athlete's foot is treated with topical antifungal
medication (a drug placed directly on the skin) in most
cases. Severe cases may require oral drugs (those taken
by mouth). The feet must be kept clean and dry since the
fungus thrives in moist environments.
How Is Athlete's Foot Prevented?
D)Steps to prevent athlete's foot include wearing shower
sandals in public showering areas, wearing shoes that
allow the feet to breathe, and daily washing of the feet
with soap and water. Drying the feet thoroughly and using
a quality foot powder can also help prevent athlete's foot
Athletes Foot
 20)Ringworm
What is ringworm of the skin?
Ringworm of the skin is a) an infection caused by a fungus.
B)Jock itch is a form of ringworm that causes an itchy rash on the
skin of your groin area. It is much more common in men than in
women. Jock itch may be caused by the spread of athlete's foot fungus
to the groin.

What causes ringworm?

C)Ringworm is NOT caused by a worm. It is caused by a fungus.
Grow best in warm, moist areas, such as locker rooms and swimming
pools, and in skin folds.
D) Ringworm is contagious!. It spreads when you have skin-to-skin
contact with a person or animal that has it. It can also spread when you
share things like towels, clothing, or sports gear.
You can also get ringworm by touching an infected dog or cat,
although this form of ringworm is not common
 What are the symptoms?
Ringworm of the skin usually causes a very
itchy rash. It often makes a pattern in the
shape of a ring, but not always. Sometimes
it is just a red, itchy rash.
Jock itch is a rash in the skin folds of the
groin. It may also spread to the inner thighs
or buttocks.
Ringworm of the hand looks like athlete's
foot. The skin on the palm of the hand gets
thick, dry, and scaly. And skin between the
fingers may be moist and have open sores.
 How is ringworm of the skin diagnosed?

If you have a ring-shaped rash, you very

likely have ringworm. Dr. will probably
look at a scraping from the rash under a
microscope to check for the ringworm
fungus.

E) How is it treated?
Topical creams
 To prevent ringworm:
Don't share clothing, sports gear, towels, or
sheets. Wash your clothes in hot water with
special anti-fungus soap.
Wear slippers or sandals in locker rooms and
public bathing areas.
Shower and shampoo well after any sport that
includes skin-to-skin contact.
Wear loose-fitting cotton clothing. Change your
socks and underwear
Keep your skin clean and dry.
If you have athlete's foot, put your socks on
before your underwear so that fungi do not
spread from your feet to your groin