Kingdom Fungi
Fungi are usually multicellular, heterotrophic eukaryotes. Since they do not have chlorophyll, they cannot perform photosynthesis. They live as parasites or saprophytes. Its cells are multi-nucleus. There are cell walls like plants, but unlike plants, cell walls contain polysaccharides called chitins. They store glucose as glycogen. They cannot actively move. It does not have roots, stems and leaves. The rotten feeding of mushrooms is called saprophyte feeding, and such mushrooms secrete enzymes to the external environment to refute residues. Enzymes convert polymer substances into monomers and such fungi are fed by taking monomers into cells. Some fungi live on plant roots and make it easier for plants to take water and minerals from the soil.
In some of the types, there is generally a structure called
hyphae. These hyphae come together to form
micelles. Cell walls are made up of cellulose in some fungi, while others are composed of chitin or both cellulose and chitin. Fungal cells have an endoplasmic reticulum, one or more nuclei, mitochondria, and some have a Golgi apparatus. Some of the kingdom member can have flagellates and move with the help of them.
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| Hyphae |
Reproduction in the Kingdom Fungi
Reproduction in mushrooms takes place in two ways, sexual and asexual. Asexual reproduction occurs mostly by spores and budding. Spores produced in large numbers spread thanks to external factors such as wind and rain. When these spores find a suitable environment, they germinate first, forming mycelium and fungus upon the development of mycelium. Fungi thrive in humid environments. Therefore, spores in the soil germinate after the rain and form mushrooms. Single cell fungi reproduce by budding.
Ecological Importance of Kingdom Fungi
Kingdom Fungi are an important part of the ecosystem. They decompose the dead plant and animal residues and allow them to enter the soil. In this way, the soil is enriched in terms of nutrients. Fungi also contribute greatly to the substance cycle on earth. The symbiotic life associations formed at the roots of various plants together with various bacteria and archaea species living as saprophytes, like themselves, are very important in terms of sustaining life on earth.
The mutualist association between living plant roots and mushroom hyphae is called
mycorrhiza. Mushroom hives increase the root surface area of the plant and provide the plant with water, mineral and salt intake, while getting organic nutrients from the plant.
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| Mycorrhiza |
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The mutualist union created by fungi and photosynthetic algae is called
lichens. In this association, algae gives some of the organic nutrients produced by photosynthesis to the fungus. Fungi also provides protection of algae with its hives and gives the minerals and water necessary for photosynthesis.
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| Lichens |
Fungi are used in cheese, alcohol, various medicines and bread making. Yeast (a kind of fungi) added to the dough will make the dough rise. Some of the mushrooms are extremely rich in nutritional value and edible. Antibiotics, vitamin medications and some hormones are produced from fungi. Especially, antibiotic derived from penicillium fungus is used in the treatment of many important diseases such as meningitis, inflammation of the lungs, febrile diseases.
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| Penicillium |
Besides all these benefits, fungi also have harmful species. Parasite fungi cause diseases in plants and animals. They damage agricultural crops. Mold fungi cause food to rot, such as vegetables, fruits and bread. Fungi also cause many diseases in humans. Mushroom spores get into the air and cause diseases such as allergies and asthma.
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| Bread Mold |
The Original Author: Mrs. Şerife (Erden) SARICA
