BIO 411 Study Guide - Fall 2019, Comprehensive Midterm Notes - Fungus, Sexual Reproduction, Mycelium
Document Summary
Molecular tools have revolutionized taxonomy, particularly for microorganisms. Key region of the genome: ribosomal rna gene cluster (18s (ssu), 5. 8s, 28s (lsu), plus internal transcribed spacers (its1 and its2) together called the its region, found in all organisms. Performs same important function evolved slowly enough that sequence similarities are easily found huge data base now available. Enormous impacts on agriculture, forestry, horti-culture, natural landscapes: enormous economic and human impacts, mycotoxins, toxic compounds produced by fungi. Aflatoxin produced by some molds is the most potent carcinogen known: friend, food and food production, mushrooms, bread, cheese, wine, beer, soy sauce, quorn, etc. Large scale production of some enzymes (e. g. , cellulase, citric acid: useful metabolites, e. g. , antibiotics like penicillin immunosuppressive drugs like cyclosporine. Focus will be on features important or unique to fungi. Metabolism: sum total of all chemical reactions in an organism.
