BOT 2100 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Saccharomycotina, Taphrinomycotina, Pezizomycotina
Document Summary
Fungi are assigned their own kingdom, and are multicellular eukaryotes. They are heterotrophic absorbers that grow rapidly (up to 1km of network in 24h) Fungi are biologically important decomposers, and are heavily concentrated in the top. 20cm of soil, which is estimated to contain 5 metric tons of bacteria/fungi per hectare. They are important plant and animal pathogens, and they are also able to form symbiotic relations with them. Fungi are common crop pests, affecting over 5000 species fo plants. They can be toxic, causing animal/human health decline, and are often responsible for infections. Yeasts, cheeses and miso are important food sources, and yeasts are involved in the fermentation of alcoholic beverages and fermented foods. Many antibiotics and drugs are sourced from fungi, including penicillin and cyclosporin. Hyphae are branching filaments of the mycelium, or underground portion of the fungi. They contain secretory vessels that allow the tip to move smoothly through the soil ribosomes, mitochondria and microtubules.
