Description of Kingdom

This kingdom consists of organisms such as molds, mushrooms, and yeasts. These organisms are eukaryotic heterotrophs, they digest their food outside of their bodies. They can be either mulitcellular or unicellular, most however are multicellular. They can be found all over the world. Most of them are decomposers that break down dead things and return nutrients back to the enviornment. They are very adaptable which is why they can be found practically all over the world. They are composed of theadlike filaments called hyphae, plasma membrane, and a cell wall. Each different type of Fungi reproduces a different way, they have a different method. For example the unicellular yeasts can only reproduce mitiotically. Where as some of the other organisms have more complex methods they go through.

3 Phylum's of the Fungi Kingdom

The first phylum is the Basidiomycota. These organisms affect us in many ways. In fact they are responsible for rotting our houses, and diminishing crops. Some of these mushroom posionings can be deadly but deaths by them are pretty rare. They benifit plants however, they have a symbiotic relationship where they increase the plants ability to aquire nutrients. Most of these organisms can reproduce either sexually or asexually. Some species have 2 mating types while others have up to 4 or more mating types. Another Phylum is the Ascomycota. The Ascomycota is a sister group to the Basidiomycota. The can be found on all continents. Like other fungi they are heterotrphs and get their nutrients from both living and dead organisms. One characteristic of the ascomycota organisms is the ascus. The ascus is where nuclear fusion and meiosis take place. Most of the organisms in this group combine with algae to form lichens. A third Phylum of this kingdom would be the Deuteromycota. This is a group of organisms that either lack the perfect stage which is sexual reproduction, or those organisms who perfect stage is not yet discovered. They mostly reproduce by the condia like spores. Many of these organisms are pathogenic, and affect man,animal, and plants.

Rhizopus stolonifer

Rhizopus stolonifer is one of the many organisms that fall under this Kingdom. This species commonly affects fruit in household kitchens. It is a black bread mold. It grows best in room temperature, or a little above like around 25-30 degrees celsius. This kind of mold doesnt require a lot of light, in fact to much can be harmful, such as direct sunlight. They require oxygen to grow, and they tend to grow best on foods such as bread, cheese, pasta, crackers, and some fruits. The fungus produces enzymes that deteriorate the skin of the fruit, then the fruit begins to change to a dark grayish color because it is starting to develope sporangia, which is the fruiting structures that produce spores. Once the fruit has spores, the fungus is able to infect the fruit. This fungus can only enter threw an open wound, or a spore. There is no fungicides for this fungus however it is recommended to discard of all infected fruit immediatly so that it does not spread and ruin more things.



LINKS!!!
HOME
Phyla's
Description and Phylums
Fungi Kingdom Info