The Characteristic of the fungi kingdom Or kingdom of the most outstanding fungi, is that they are multicellular eukaryotes, which were believed to belong to the plant kingdom.
Currently the fungi kingdom is composed by the families zygomycota, ascomycota and basidiomycota and by the imperfect fungi.
Unlike plants, fungi lack chlorophyll, so they are unable to obtain nutrients through photosynthesis; On the other hand, resort to other methods, such as the decomposition of organic matter. For this reason, members of the fungi kingdom play an important ecological role, contributing to the formation of fertile soils.
Here is a series of fundamental elements of these fungi, which also have many Properties to health:
Characteristics of fungi kingdom fungi
1- Are heterotrophs
Fungi are not able to produce their own food, unlike plants (autotrophic organisms), which get the necessary nutrients through photosynthesis.
In contrast, fungi get these nutrients through a process known as extracellular digestion, which means that these organisms secrete digestive enzymes and then absorb the organic molecules that such enzymes break down.
2- Some fungi are saprophytes
Some fungi feed on dead organic matter, which makes them saprophytic organisms.
3- Peculiar body
The body of the fungi is formed by a set of tubular structures, called hyphae. These structures contain the cytoplasm of the fungi and allow it to travel freely throughout the organism.
The set of hyphae forms what is known as mycelium. Usually this is hidden under the ground. However, not all fungi form hyphae, such is the case of mucilaginous fungi.
In turn, the visible part of the fungi is called mushroom or truffle and constitutes the reproductive organ. It should be noted that only basidiomycete fungi produce mushrooms, while ascomycetes produce truffles.
4- Playback
Fungi are able to reproduce sexually and asexually. Asexual reproduction can be by fragmentation or through spores:
- Fragmentation: A fragmented piece of hyphae is capable of producing a new fungus.
- Spore dispersion thanks to the action of the wind.
Sexual reproduction involves the fusion of the hyphae of two genetically distinct individuals, a process that allows the spores to be created during the asexual reproduction.
Classification
Fungi are classified into three families and one group:
- Family zygomycota
- Ascomycota family
- Basidiomycota family
- Imperfect fungi
In this sense, the three families of fungi are distinguished mainly by their reproductive apparatus
Zygomycetes
These fungi are the only ones in which the union of hyphae directly generates a zygote, a process that constitutes sexual reproduction.
Asexual reproduction occurs through sporangiophores, which generate spores. Thus, the family zigomycota constitutes the smaller family of the kingdom fungi; Little more than 1050 species are now recognized. Bread molds are part of this family, such as Mucor mucedo .
Ascomycetes
Ascomycetes have a sac-like structure called asco or asca that contains spores, which occur during asexual reproduction.
It is possible to emphasize that there are species of ascomicetes that reproduce exclusively of asexual way; This is achieved through the formation of conidia (spores that form at the ends of the hyphae).
The species of this family may be microscopic or macroscopic. Thus, some of the best-known species of the Ascomycota family are:
- He Penicillium notatum , Microscopic fungus, mode former, from which penicillin is extracted.
- Yeasts, microscopic fungi that produce fermentation.
- The Tuber melanosporum Or violaceous truffle, macroscopic and edible fungus.
Basidiomycetes
Basidiomycetes are the most common family of fungi. They are characterized by the presence of reproductive organs, denominated basidios, in which the spores are stored. Like ascomycetes, they can be microscopic or macroscopic; The macroscopic form mushrooms. Some known species are:
- Pleurotus eryngii Or thistle mushroom, macroscopic and edible.
- Amanita Caesarea Or orja, macroscopic and edible.
- Agaricus bisporus Or common mushroom, macroscopic and edible.
- Amanita phalloides Or green, macroscopic and lethal border.
- Puccinia , Microscopic and parasitic fungi.
Imperfect fungi
Imperfect fungi or deuteromycetes are organisms that do not have reproductive apparatus or, in any case, these have not been discovered yet. Most of these are considered ascomycetic fungi that have lost the ability to reproduce sexually.
This species is the cause of most fungal diseases in humans, also known as mycosis.
Symbiosis with fungi
Some fungi establish symbiotic relationships, associations between two different species that are beneficial to both. Lichens and mycorrhizae are examples of symbiosis.
Lichens
A lichen is an association between a fungus and an algae. The alga is responsible for producing food through photosynthesis while the fungus provides adequate conditions for the algae to survive (protection, humidity, among others).
Mycorrhizae
Mycorrhizae are a symbiosis between a fungus and the roots of trees. In this association, the fungi extend their hyphae in such a way that the area of absorption that covers the plant is greater; The plant, meanwhile, provides nutrients to the fungus. Mycorrhizae can be of two types: endomycorrhizae and ectomycorrhizae.
They are called endomycorrhizae when fungal hyphae penetrate the outermost layers of tree roots. In this symbiosis, the fungus usually belongs to the zigomycota family. This type of mycorrhizae is the most common.
On the other hand, they are called ectomycorrhizae when the hyphae surround but do not penetrate the walls of the roots. In general, the fungus that forms part of this association belongs to the basidiomycota family, although there are also some species of ascomycota that form ectomycorrhizae.
References
- Introduction to the World of Fungi. Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from mycolocy-jp.org.
- Fungi . Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from mhhe.com
- Introduction to Fungi, Third Edition. Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from dbbe.fcen.uba.ar.
- Kingdom Fungi. Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from nicholls.edu.
- Kingdom Fungi. Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from epcc.edu.
- Fungi and Plants. Retrieved on February 27, 2017, from danza.edu.
- The Fungi Kingdom. Recovered on February 27, 2017, from
- Hamilton-local.k12.oh.us.