BIO 121 Chapter Notes - Chapter 23: Cyanobacteria, Chitin, Saprotrophic Nutrition
Document Summary
Fungi are mostly multicellular eukaryotes that are heterotrophic and consume preformed organic matter. Fungi are heterotrophic by absorption (animals are heterotrophic by ingestion) Fungal cells secrete digestive enzymes; following breakdown of molecules, the nutrients are absorbed. Most fungi are saprotrophic decomposers, breaking down wastes or remains of plants and animals. Some are parasitic, living off tissues of living plants and animals. Fungi enter leaves through stomates; plants are especially subject to fungal diseases. Fungal diseases account for millions of dollars in crop losses each year; fungal diseases also have decimated some tree species. Fungi also cause human diseases including ringworm, athlete"s foot, and yeast infections. Several types of fungi are adapted to mutualistic relationships with other organisms. Fungi associated with plant roots acquire inorganic nutrients for plants and receive organic nutrients fungi form an association with a green alga or cyanobacterium to form a lichen. Structure of fungi the thallus (body) of most fungi is a mycelium.
