Fungi Review

1. What are some similarities and differences between fungi and plants? (chitin vs. cellulose;both sessile; fungus - spores, plants - spores and seeds; both asexual and sexual reproduction)

2. Describe the roles of fungi as decomposers and as parasites. Give examples. (decomposers -return nutrients to ecosystem, e.g., mushroom, slime mold; parasites - feed on living host, e.g.,Athletes foot)

3. What are mycelia and hyphae? (mycelium - network of hyphae)

4. What carbohydrate is in the cell wall of fungus? (chitin)

5. a) What are the parts of a lichen? (fungus + algae)

b) What does each contribute to the other? (see diagram in notes)

c) Why are lichens important? (colonize new areas and provide food source for some animals)

6. Given your knowledge of fungi, what growth conditions might favor the fungus that causes athlete’s foot? (humid, warm)

7. With which kind of organism are mycorrhizae associated? (plants)

b) Why are they not considered parasites? (mutualistic relationship)

c) What role is played by each member of the relationship? (fungus - helps plant absorbnutrients; plant - provides food to fungus)

8. The reproductive cells of fungi are called _____. (spores)

9. What is a saprobe? (deomposer)

10. Explain the difference between a saprobe and a parasite. (saprobe - feed on dead; parasite -feed on living host)

11. How are they important to other forms of life? (recycle nutrients from dead animals)

12. What characteristic of yeast makes it an unusual fungus? (microscopic, individual cells, nohyphae)

13. Certain types of mushrooms grow only at the base of a particular species of tree. Explain. (mushroom is fruiting body of mycorrhizae)

14. What kind of fungus is used to make penicillin? (Penicillium)

15 What advantage would a fungus that produces an antibiotic have over one that does not? (antibiotic can kill bacteria and other fungi thereby reducing competition)

16. Most mushroom mycelia grow in the soil. Why do mushroom fruiting bodies grow above ground? (to aid in spore dispersal)

17. What are some of the other uses humans have found for fungi? (food, beer, wine, bread,antibiotics)

18. A spore may develop hundreds of kilometers away from its origin. Explain how this is so. (wind dispersal)

19. a) Fungi use what type of nutrition? (extracellular digestion)

b) They obtain food how? (secrete digestive enzymes in surroundings, enzymes digest material,fungus absorbs nutrients)

20. The following conditions are likely to be the most suitable for the growth of fungi

a) warm and dry (b) light and dry *(c) dark, cool and humid (d) light, warm and humid

21. Explain the difference between absorption and phagocytosis. (absorption - enzymes secretedand food particles diffuse into cell; phagocytosis - food taken into cell and stored in vacuole)