Chapter Objectives

1. List the characteristics that distinguish fungi from organisms in other kingdoms
2. Explain how fungi aquire nutrients
3. Explain how mon-motile fungi seek new food sources and how they disperse
4. Describe the basic body plan of a fungus
5. Distinguish between septate and aseptate (coenocytic) fungi
6. Describe some advantages of the dikaryotic state
7. Distinguish among fungi and list some common examples of each
8. Describe asexual and sexual reproduction in Zygomycophyta, Ascomycophyta, and Basidiomycophyta and the sexual structurrs that characterizes each group
9. Explain the difference between conidia and ascospores
10. Expalin why ascomycetes can be useful to geneticists studying genetic recombination
11. Explain why the Dueteromycota are called fungi imperfecta
12. Describe the anatomy of lichens and explain how they reproduce
13. Provide evicence for both sides of the debate on whether symbiosis in lichens is parasitic or mutualistic
14. Describe the ecological importance of lichens
15. Explain why fungi are ecologically and commercially important
16. Describe how the mutualistic relationship in mycorrhizae is beneficial to both the fungus and the plant and explain its importance to natural ecosystems and agriculture
17. Describe a scenario for ungal phylogeny and list 2 possible ancesstors of Zygomycota

Chapter Terms:

Chapter Outline Framework

1. Introduction ti Fungi
   1. Absorptive nutrition enables fungi to live as decomposers and symbionts
   2. Extensive surface area and rapid growth adapt fungi for absorptive nutrition
   3. Fungi reproduc by releasing spores that are produced either sexually or asexually
2. Diversity of Fungi
   1. Division Chytridiomycota: chytrids may provide clues about fungal origins
   2. Division Zygomycota: zygote fungi form resistant dikaryotic structures during sexual reproduction
   3. Division Ascomycota: sac fungi produce sexual spores in saclike asci
   4. Division Basidiomycota: club fungi have long-lived dikaryotic mycelia and a transient diploid stage
   5. Molds, yeasts, lichens, and mycorrhizae represent unique lifestyles that evolved independently
3. Ecological Impacts of Fungi
   1. Ecosystems depend on fungi as decomposers and symbionts
   2. Some fungi are pathogens
   3. Many animals, including humans, eat fungi
4. Phylogenetic Relationships of Fungi
1. Fungi and animals probably evolved from a common protistan ancestor

back to top