Introduction to Fungi
Fungi are saprozoic heterotrophic organisms that exist in a wide range of sizes and shapes. Many unicellular yeasts and spores of the macroscopic fungi are microscopic, in addition to the well-known macroscopic fungi (such as mushrooms and moulds). Hence, in the field of microbiology fungi are considered part of it.
Fungi benefits humans in a variety of ways. Fungi can be found on both microscopic and macroscopic scales. There is an illness caused by fungi known as mycoses by some pathogenic species. Some pathogenic fungi are opportunistic, meaning they only cause infections when the host's immune system is weak.
They operate as environmental decomposers and are necessary for the manufacture of certain foods, such as cheese. Fungi can also make antibiotics, such as penicillin, which is made by the fungus Penicillium.
Life Cycle of a Fungi
Fungi do not all reproduce in the same way. They either reproduce sexually or asexually, in general. In biology, the term "sexual reproduction" may have a different meaning than it does in ordinary life.
'Sexual reproduction' simply means that the genetic information of two people is combined to generate a single person. Let's start with the life cycles of fungi that entail sexual reproduction.
The life cycle of fungi has a wide range of examples dependent on the types of fungi. Not all fungi imitate similarly. Hence, we are going to take a gander at the life cycle of fungi in the asexual and sexual stages.
Sexual
1. Spore (Haploid)
The spore phase is the initial stage of the fungal life cycle. All fungi start as haploid spores, which means they only have one copy of their genetic information.
This is similar to sperm and eggs, which are similar to human sex cells. By hitching a ride on another organism or even the wind, these spores can travel great distances from where they were generated.
The spore will germinate and produce a mass of 'roots' termed a mycelium after it lands in a favourable environment. These, like roots, provide nutrition to the spores, allowing them to grow.
2. Mycelium (Diploid)
At the point when the mycelium develops and creates, it may encounter other fungi. On the off chance that the two fungi are good, a cell from every one of the two mycelium fungi combine to shape into another new single cell. These new fused cells are diploid as they have more than one copy of their genetic information.
Mycelium (plural: mycelia) is a fungus's hyphae extension. The mycelium is a fungus' most vital and long-lasting component. For a long time, mycelium has been known as a fungal structure.
3. Meiosis
After the fungi have become mycelium, it enters the following procedure known as meiosis. During meiosis, a single cell splits into two cells and the genetic material from the two parents gets stirred up. The created two daughter cells don't have indistinguishable highlights to their parents and they don't appear to be like each other either.
Asexual
Most fungi can 'select' to reproduce asexually when in the mycelium stage. Many environmental considerations, such as resource availability and wetness, impacts this decision.
Instead of developing and uniting with another mycelium at this stage of the life cycle, the fungus produces 'mitospores' that are identical to the parent. After that, the mitospores produce new mycelium. This mycelium can reproduce sexually if the conditions are suitable.
The life cycle of a fungus is very unpredictable in nature as they don't recreate in one way, however sexually and asexually dependent on the ecological conditions. Because of its particular nature, a fungus is equipped for enduring anywhere and all over the place.
FAQs on Fungi Life Cycle
1. What happens when a Mycelium grow in a sexual life cycle of fungi?
As the mycelium grows, it may come into contact with other fungi that are compatible with it. If this happens, the cells of each fungus can merge to form a single cell. These merged cells are now 'diploid,' or have two copies of their genetic information.
The cells then go through a process known as 'meiosis.' When a single cell divides into two, this is known as cell division. Importantly, the genetic information from each parent is jumbled up and mingled together during this fission. The two "daughter" cells that result are not identical to either of their parents or each other. Fungi (and all sexually reproducing organisms) retain genetic variation in this way.
2. What is the classification of a Fungi?
In the fungi kingdom, there are thousands of species. They fall into four main categories.
Chytridiomycota (chytrids): Chytridiomycota is the oldest fungi, having evolved some 500 million years ago. Chytrids are remarkable among fungi in that their spores (zoospores) move. They usually have one flagellum that pushes them through the water. These fungi can live without oxygen and are found in cows' stomachs where they decompose plant stuff.
Zygomycota (bread moulds): Zygomycota is a family of fungi that you may encounter in your daily life. They are a common ‘food mould' found on damaged foods.
Ascomycota (yeasts and sac fungi): Around 75% of all fungus species are Ascomycota. They do a variety of vital and enjoyable tasks. The antibiotic Penicillium chrysogenum is named after it. These are the same fungus that generates lichens in symbiotic interactions with algae.
Basidiomycota (mosses): Almost all mushrooms belong here. The organism's life cycle includes more than just mushrooms. These fungi are vital because they decompose decaying stuff like wood and plants and restore their nutrients to the soil.
3. Write a brief explanation of Deuteromycetes.
Because we only know about the asexual or vegetative phases of these fungi, they are imperfect fungi. Deuteromycetes reproduce only through spores, which are asexual. Conidia are the spores. Some of the members are parasites or saprophytes. However, a significant number of them are litter decomposers. They are extremely beneficial to mineral cycling. Alternaria, Colletotrichum, and Trichoderma are other examples.
4. What are the unique features of Fungi?
The Unique features of Fungi:
Fungi are non-vascular, non-motile, and heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms.
They might be filamentous or unicellular.
Spores are used for replicating.
In fungi, a process known as alternation of generation occurs.
Fungi lack chlorophyll and thus cannot photosynthesis.
Fungi store their nourishment in the form of starch, which they consume as they grow.
Fungi are the only organisms that can synthesise chitin.
Fungi have extremely tiny nuclei.
There is no embryonic stage in fungus. They are formed from spores.
Because some fungi are parasitic, they can infect their hosts.
Fungi produce a pheromone that permits them to reproduce sexually.
5. How can Fungi be utilized?
Fungi are used in a variety of ways as they play a key part in the biosphere and have significant economic value due to both their beneficial and detrimental effects.
Recycling - They are extremely important in the recycling of dead and degraded substances.
Food - Mushrooms are edible species that are cultured and consumed by humans.
Medicines - Many fungi are utilised to make antibiotics, which are used to treat diseases in people and animals. The antibiotic penicillin is generated from the fungus Penicillium.
Biocontrol Agents - Fungi are involved in the exploitation of insects and other tiny worms, as well as in pest control. Fungi spores are used as spray-on crops.
Food spoilage - Fungi play an important part in the recycling of organic materials, but they are also responsible for significant food deterioration and economic losses.
