Salient features of kingdom fungi

What Are Fungi? Fungi are a group of living organisms, consisting from unicellular yeasts, and multicellular molds and mushrooms. A word fungus, plural fungi, is adopted from Latin fungus (mushroom), from Greek sphongos (sponge), and refers to a physical appearance of fungi. Mycology (from Greek mykes = fungus) is a branch of biology dealing with fungi. Beneficial and Harmful Fungi Some fungi are beneficial: they decompose dead organisms, they can be used in production of food, they are part of normal human flora. Other fungi are pathogenic, meaning they may cause diseases (mycoses) in plants, animals and human. Certain fungi, like Candida albicans, can be beneficial when present in small amounts in body tissues, but can overgrow in certain circumstances, like opportunistic fungi). Types of Fungi Fungi can be, on the basis of their structure, divided into three types: 1. Yeasts Yeasts are unicellular fungi. Examples: • Saccharomyces cerevisiae– baker’s or brewer’s yeast • Saccharomyces boulardii is a part of normal intestinal flora; available in pharmacies as probiotic, which can prevent antibiotic associated diarrhea. • Pityrosporum ovale, a part of normal skin flora can be converted to a pathogenic form ringworm infection of the skin. • Candida albicans is normally present in the mouth, esophagus, bowel and vagina; if it overgrows, it may cause oral thrush, esophageal, bowel or vaginal yeast infection; usually only in persons with lowered immune system. If candida invade...

Kingdom Fungi : The kingdom fungi, includes achlorophyllous, spore producing, multicellular, eukaryotic, organisms. Salient features: (a) The body of fungi is filamentous called mycellium. The filaments are known as hyphae. (b) The hyphae are either multicellular or coenocytic i.e. multinucleate and without cross walls. © The cell wall contain chitin and non-cellulosic polysaccharides N-acetyl - glucosamine. (d) They have two envelop type of cellular organisation. (e) The are heterotrophic with absorptive type of nutrition. It is either saprobic or parasitic, Saprobic fungi excrete digestive enzymes in the external medium to make complex organic matter soluble for absorption. Parasitic fungi ; absorb nourishment directly from another living organism called host. (f) Reserve food is glycogen and fat. (g) Reproduction is both asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction takes place by spores like zoospores, conidia, ascospores and basidiospores. Sexual reproduction involves fusion of similar gametes. In some fungi, the fusion of two haploid (n) cells results in diploid (2n) cell or zygote. (h) Many fungi act as decomposers and mineralisers and thus, play an important role in nutrient cycling in the biosphere.

• Taxonomy refers to the science of classification of living organisms. • According to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, taxonomy consists of three separate but interrelated areas: classification, nomenclature, and identification. • Classification is the arrangement of organisms into taxonomic groups known as taxa on the basis of similarities or relationships. • Taxa include kingdoms or domains, divisions or phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. • Closely related organisms (i.e., organisms having similar characteristics) are placed into the same taxon. • Organisms are categorized into larger groups based on their similarities and differences. • It should be noted that the classification of living organisms is a complex and controversial subject. The Five Kingdom System of Classification • Very early on, scientists began grouping the living organisms under different categories. • Some biologists classified organisms into plants and animals. • Ernst Haeckel, Robert Whittaker, and Carl Woese are some biologists who attempted a broader system of classification. • Amongst these, the Five Kingdom Classification proposed by Robert Whittaker stood out and is widely used. • In 1969, Robert H. Whittaker proposed a Five- Kingdom System of Classification, in which all organisms are placed into five kingdoms. Features of Five Kingdom System of Classification • Whitaker proposed that organisms should be broadly divided into kingdoms, based on certain character...

What are distinctive features of fungi? Most fungi are multicellular organisms. They display two distinct morphological stages: the vegetative and reproductive. The vegetative stage consists of a tangle of slender thread-like structures called hyphae (singular, hypha ), whereas the reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. What are the salient features of kingdom fungi? The salient features of kingdom fungi are stated as follows: • They are haploid. • They absorb food. • They do not have chlorophyll. • They are non-motile. • They lack true leaves and stems. • The cell walls of organisms falling in this category is made up of chitin. • They store their food in form of starch. How are fungi different from other kingdoms? A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is chitin in their cell walls. Fungi do not photosynthesize. Growth is their means of mobility, except for spores (a few of which are flagellated), which may travel through the air or water. What are some unique or interesting characteristics about kingdom fungi? Fascinating facts about fungi • Fungi are in a kingdom of their own but are closer to animals than plants. • They have chemicals in their cell walls shared with lobsters and crabs. • A fungus has been discovered capable of breaking down plastics in weeks rather than years. Why are fungi special? Together with bacteria, fungi are responsible for breaking down organic ...

What are the salient features of kingdom Fungi ? Answers: Kingdom Fungi : The kingdom fungi, includes achlorophyllous, spore producing, multicellular, eukaryotic, organisms. Salient features: (a) The body of fungi is filamentous called mycellium. The filaments are known as hyphae. (b) The hyphae are either multicellular or coenocytic i.e. multinucleate and without cross walls. (c) The cell wall contain chitin and non-cellulosic polysaccharides N-acetyl – glucosamine. (d) They have two envelop type of cellular organisation. (e) The are heterotrophic with absorptive type of nutrition. It is either saprobic or parasitic, Saprobic fungi excrete digestive enzymes in the external medium to make complex organic matter soluble for absorption. Parasitic fungi ; absorb nourishment directly from another living organism called host. (f) Reserve food is glycogen and fat. (g) Reproduction is both asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction takes place by spores like zoospores, conidia, ascospores and basidiospores. Sexual reproduction involves fusion of similar gametes. In some fungi, the fusion of two haploid (n) cells results in diploid (2n) cell or zygote. (h) Many fungi act as decomposers and mineralisers and thus, play an important role in nutrient cycling in the biosphere.

• Living World • • • Systematics of Living Organisms • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Kingdom Plantae • • • • • Kingdom Animalia • • • • Cell Structure and Organization • • • • Biomolecules • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cell Division • • • • • • Plant Tissues and Anatomy • • • • • • • • • Morphology of Flowering Plants • • • • Animal Tissue • • • • • • • Study of Animal Type : Cockroach • • • • • • • • • • • • Photosynthesis • • • • • • • • • • • • Respiration and Energy Transfer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Human Nutrition • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Excretion and Osmoregulation • • • • • • • • • • • Skeleton and Movement • • • • • • • • • • •

What are distinctive features of fungi? Most fungi are multicellular organisms. They display two distinct morphological stages: the vegetative and reproductive. The vegetative stage consists of a tangle of slender thread-like structures called hyphae (singular, hypha ), whereas the reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. What are the salient features of kingdom fungi? The salient features of kingdom fungi are stated as follows: • They are haploid. • They absorb food. • They do not have chlorophyll. • They are non-motile. • They lack true leaves and stems. • The cell walls of organisms falling in this category is made up of chitin. • They store their food in form of starch. How are fungi different from other kingdoms? A characteristic that places fungi in a different kingdom from plants, bacteria, and some protists is chitin in their cell walls. Fungi do not photosynthesize. Growth is their means of mobility, except for spores (a few of which are flagellated), which may travel through the air or water. What are some unique or interesting characteristics about kingdom fungi? Fascinating facts about fungi • Fungi are in a kingdom of their own but are closer to animals than plants. • They have chemicals in their cell walls shared with lobsters and crabs. • A fungus has been discovered capable of breaking down plastics in weeks rather than years. Why are fungi special? Together with bacteria, fungi are responsible for breaking down organic ...

• Taxonomy refers to the science of classification of living organisms. • According to Bergey’s Manual of Systematic Bacteriology, taxonomy consists of three separate but interrelated areas: classification, nomenclature, and identification. • Classification is the arrangement of organisms into taxonomic groups known as taxa on the basis of similarities or relationships. • Taxa include kingdoms or domains, divisions or phyla, classes, orders, families, genera, and species. • Closely related organisms (i.e., organisms having similar characteristics) are placed into the same taxon. • Organisms are categorized into larger groups based on their similarities and differences. • It should be noted that the classification of living organisms is a complex and controversial subject. The Five Kingdom System of Classification • Very early on, scientists began grouping the living organisms under different categories. • Some biologists classified organisms into plants and animals. • Ernst Haeckel, Robert Whittaker, and Carl Woese are some biologists who attempted a broader system of classification. • Amongst these, the Five Kingdom Classification proposed by Robert Whittaker stood out and is widely used. • In 1969, Robert H. Whittaker proposed a Five- Kingdom System of Classification, in which all organisms are placed into five kingdoms. Features of Five Kingdom System of Classification • Whitaker proposed that organisms should be broadly divided into kingdoms, based on certain character...

Kingdom Fungi : The kingdom fungi, includes achlorophyllous, spore producing, multicellular, eukaryotic, organisms. Salient features: (a) The body of fungi is filamentous called mycellium. The filaments are known as hyphae. (b) The hyphae are either multicellular or coenocytic i.e. multinucleate and without cross walls. © The cell wall contain chitin and non-cellulosic polysaccharides N-acetyl - glucosamine. (d) They have two envelop type of cellular organisation. (e) The are heterotrophic with absorptive type of nutrition. It is either saprobic or parasitic, Saprobic fungi excrete digestive enzymes in the external medium to make complex organic matter soluble for absorption. Parasitic fungi ; absorb nourishment directly from another living organism called host. (f) Reserve food is glycogen and fat. (g) Reproduction is both asexual and sexual. Asexual reproduction takes place by spores like zoospores, conidia, ascospores and basidiospores. Sexual reproduction involves fusion of similar gametes. In some fungi, the fusion of two haploid (n) cells results in diploid (2n) cell or zygote. (h) Many fungi act as decomposers and mineralisers and thus, play an important role in nutrient cycling in the biosphere.

• Living World • • • Systematics of Living Organisms • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Kingdom Plantae • • • • • Kingdom Animalia • • • • Cell Structure and Organization • • • • Biomolecules • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Cell Division • • • • • • Plant Tissues and Anatomy • • • • • • • • • Morphology of Flowering Plants • • • • Animal Tissue • • • • • • • Study of Animal Type : Cockroach • • • • • • • • • • • • Photosynthesis • • • • • • • • • • • • Respiration and Energy Transfer • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Human Nutrition • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Excretion and Osmoregulation • • • • • • • • • • • Skeleton and Movement • • • • • • • • • • •