Fungal cell wall (chitin), hyphae, mycelium, yeast/filamentous dimorphism, mycorrhizae, lichens.
Fungal Biology
Fungus
Eukaryotic heterotrophic kingdom with chitinous cell walls, external digestion via secreted enzymes + osmotrophic absorption. Yeast…
Hypha / mycelium
Tubular apically-growing filament (5-10 μm diameter) with septa (or coenocytic in Mucoromycota). Network of hyphae = mycelium. High…
Yeast
Unicellular fungus reproducing by budding or fission. S. cerevisiae: budding yeast, model eukaryote. S. pombe: fission yeast. C. albicans:…
Mycorrhiza
Mutualistic symbiosis between fungal mycelium + plant root. Arbuscular (AM, ~80% land plants) + ectomycorrhizal. Fungus supplies P/N/water;…
Lichen
Stable symbiosis of ascomycete (or basidiomycete) with green-algal or cyanobacterial photobiont. Extremophile (Antarctica, rock); indicator…
Chitin cell wall
Fungal cell wall built from chitin (β-1,4-GlcNAc polymer) + β-glucans + mannoproteins. Target of antifungals (echinocandins inhibit…
Fruiting body (basidiocarp/ascocarp)
Macroscopic sexual structure producing meiospores. Mushroom = basidiocarp; morel/truffle = ascocarp. Diagnostic for species identification.
Mycotoxin
Toxic secondary metabolites (aflatoxin, ochratoxin, ergot alkaloids). Aflatoxin B1 (Aspergillus flavus) is hepatocarcinogen; contaminant of…
Antibiotic production (fungal)
Secondary metabolites used in chemical warfare against bacteria. Penicillin (Penicillium 1928 Fleming), cephalosporin, statins (Aspergillus…
Dimorphic fungi
Species that switch between hyphal (mold) and yeast forms depending on temperature (Histoplasma, Blastomyces, Coccidioides, Candida).…