What is Fungi?
Fungi are a diverse group of organisms that include yeasts, molds, and mushrooms. They belong to the kingdom Fungi and have a distinct biology and way of life, different from animals, plants, and bacteria. They feed on organic matter and play important roles in ecosystems as decomposers, symbionts, and pathogens. Fungi also have significant economic and cultural impacts as sources of food, medicines, and fermented products.
General Consideration of Fungi
Fungi are saprophytic or Parasitic eukaryotic microorganism, which possess a complex cell structure similar to that of higher organisms. Fungi are morphologically different from the prokaryotic group organismsuc such as bacteria. Although in many ways fungi resemble Bacteria, unlike bacteria, they reproduce through sporulation or spore formation. When the spores are produced by mitosis, the fungus is said to be an anamorph. Many fungi can have different sporulating structure in which genetic recombination occurs, Mainly as a result of culture with a stain of the opposite mating type. The fungus then said to be in the perfect state and it is said to be a teleomorph.
When the spores germinate, they send out tube like projections, called germ tubes. These germ tubes lead to the formation of branching tube like structure called hyphae which may divide by cross walls (septate) or may have no SEPTA (nonseptate hyphae). The term mold is used to describe a fungus which produce hyphae. Fungi which reproduce by budding are generally referred to as yeasts. There are thousands of known species of yeasts and molds. Only about 100 of them cause disease in humans and animals (many other cause disease in plants). The Fungi exhibit a large array of morphological forms.
All fungi are heterotrophic and with a few exceptions they are obligatory aerobic. They do not possess an autotrophic chemical mechanism or a photosynthetic mechanism for the production of energy or the synthesis of photoplasmic constituents. The absence of chlorophyll distinguishes these Organism from algae and plants. The unique metabolic pathways of Anji are responsible for the economically important process that yield. Enzymes, vitamins, antibiotics. organic acid, alcohol and Easters. Fungi are important source of penicillin. Most Fungi can be grown in the laboratory on artificial media. traditionally, Subouraud’s agar which contains glucose and beef extract(PH- 5.0) has been used because it does not readily support growth of bacteria.
Terms Applied to Fungi
Hyphae
Hyphae are long filaments or strands of cells. These develop from germinating spores. Hyphae that do not have cross walls are called aseptate and those with cross Walls are called septate. Vegetative hyphae grow under the surface of Agar and absorb nutrients. Aerial hyphae grow above the surface and support reproductive structure. A Pectinate hyphae is one with lateral projections resembling a comb. A spiral is a Corkscrew like turn of a terminal hyphae.
A Pseudohypha
A pseudohypha is a filament formed by buds. It elongates and forms a branching network of attached cells without getting detached from parents cell.
A Nudular Body
A Nudular Body is an enlargement consisting of closely twisted hyphae formed by side filaments around the main stem.
A Conidiophore
A Conidiophore is a Specialised hyphae which produces Conidia (spores).
Conidia (singular conidium)
Conidia (singular conidium) propagative forms produced by asexual reproduction. Macroconidia are large, usually multi cells canidia and Microconidia are small single cell conidia.
Mycelium
Mycelium is a matted growth of hyphae. Racquet mycelium is formed by hyphal cells which are swollen at one end and small at other end.
Spores
Spores is a reproductive structure. Sexual spores are formed by primary nuclear fusion.
Ascospores
Ascospores following meiosis, 4 to 8 spores form within a specialised sac called as ascus.
Eumycetes
Eumycetes are true fungi.
Perfect fungi
Perfect fungi are fungi which have a sexual reproduction stage.
Pseudomycetes
Pseudomycetes are false fungi.
Zygospores
Zygospores in certain zygomycetes, thick walled zygospores develop at the fused tip of hyphae.
Oospores
Oospores an oospore develops when a special female structure on a hyphae is fertilized by the nucleus of a male structure developed close by. The structures which contains the oospores is called the Oosphere. Asexual spores are formed by budding without fusion of the nuclei.
