BSC 1011 Study Guide - Final Guide: Mycorrhiza, Haustorium, Mycelium
Document Summary
Fungi produce chitin (a polymer) what their cell walls are made of. Mushrooms are not synonymous with fungus: mushroom is a reproductive organism formed by some fungi. Fungi are heterotrophs that absorb their food through their cell walls: almost every terrestrial plant has associations with fungi, not like animals animals ingest their food through their mouths. Usually the important part that is absorbing is underneath the ground. They secrete enzymes to break down complex molecules into smaller organic compounds: the versatility of these enzymes contributes to fungi"s ecological success. Fungi can be parasites (can be pathogenic), mutualists, or decomposers. The most common body structures are multicellular filaments and single cells (yeast: some species can grow as both. Yeast are polyphyletic (evolved independently multiple times) The reproductive structures in fungi are spores, not gametes. Hyphae are connected to plants and get their sugar from the plants. Fungi help to absorb nutrients and water for the plants.