What are Fungi?
Fungi is a broad term used to cover many organisms together. This class consists of microscopic organisms like cottony growth on stale bread, as well as macroscopic organisms like mushrooms, puffballs, etc.
Fungus
What is the Structure of Fungi?
Yeast
- Fungi can be unicellular or
- Yeast is the only fungus that is
- All the other microscopic fungi are multicellular in nature and have bodies comprising many cells that coordinate to bring about smooth
- The multicellular body usually consists of a stalk-like structure and a bag-like structure or an umbrella-like structure on top of it.
- The bag-like structure (or in some cases the umbrella-like structure) consists of spores of fungi which are dispersed to give rise to new fungal bodies on
- The stalk of multicellular fungi consists of long slender filaments called Hyphae. Some hyphae have partitions and are called Septate Hyphae, while others lack partitions and are called Aseptate Hyphae or Coenocytic Hyphae.
- Hyphae absorb nutrients from the surrounding food The tip of the hyphae releases enzymes that bring about digestion of food outside the body.
- In aseptate hyphae, the nutrients are directly passed whereas in septate hyphae substances are exchanged through the small spores that it
- The genetic material of the fungus is locked in
- These hyphae get interwoven to form a network called Mycelium.
Structure of Fungi
Hyphae and Mycelium
Why are Fungi Important?
- Some fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plant Symbiotic means a mutual give and take relation. So both organisms, the plants as well as the fungi, are benefitted through this.
- Some fungi help in the preparation of medicinally important products. For example, the antibiotic Penicillin has been obtained from the fungi of genus Penicillium.
- Fungus helps in the preparation of various foods like bakery items, cheese, etc.
Summary
| Fungus | Fungi is a broad term used to cover many organisms together. This class consists of microscopic organisms, as well as macroscopic organisms. |
| Hyphae | The stalk of multicellular fungi consists of long slender filaments called
Hyphae. |
| Types of Hyphae | Septate Hyphae – Show partitions.
Aseptate or Coenocytic Hyphae – Lack partitions. |
| Mycelium | The hyphae get interwoven to form a network called Mycelium. |
| Importance of Fungi | Forms symbiotic relationship with plant roots.
Used in preparation of medicines and food items. |
Did you know?
Mycology is a branch of microbiological studies purely dedicated to studying fungi.