BIO SCI 94 Chapter Notes - Chapter 32: Plasmogamy, Mitosis, Pedogenesis

• School: UC-Irvine
• Department: Biological Sciences
• Course: BIO SCI 94
• Professor: Robin Bush

Document Summary

Fungi are one of three major lineages of large, multicellular eukaryotes that occupy terrestrial environments. Release their digestive enzymes to the external environment; absorb nutrients from dead organisms and are the world"s most important decomposers. Most fungi that live in association with other organisms that benefit their hosts are called mutualists. Because they recycle key elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus and because they transfer key nutrients to plants and animals, fungi have a profound influence on ecosystem productivity and biodiversity. Fungi have important economic and ecological impacts. Fungi do more to promote human health than degrade it; first antibiotic, penicillin, isolated from a fungus; continues to be source of most important antibiotic prescribed against bacterial infections. Major destructive impact fungi have on people = food supply. Troublesome to grain crops, and spoilage of fruit/vegetables. Can also have positive impacts on human food supply. Yeast saccharomyces cerevisiae essential to manufacture of bread, soy sauce, cheese, beer wine, etc.