BSC 2011 Chapter Notes - Chapter 31: Arbuscular Mycorrhiza, Mycelium, Karyogamy

• School: University of Florida
• Department: Biology - Biological Sciences
• Course: BSC 2011
• Professor: Chen Sixue

Document Summary

31. 1 fungi are heterotrophs that feed by absorption. All fungi share some key traits: the way they derive nutrition, grow by forming multicellular filaments. Nutrition and ecology: fungi are heterotrophs: Cannot make their own food as plants and algae can: fungi do not ingest their food. They absorb nutrients from the environment outside of the body: absorption carried out by secreting hydrolytic enzymes into surroundings. Enzymes break down complex molecules to smaller organic compounds that fungi can absorb into their bodies and use: other fungi use enzymes to penetrate the walls of cells. Different species live as decomposers, parasites, or mutualists: fungi decomposers break down and absorb nutrients from nonliving organic material. Ex: fallen logs, animal corpses, and wastes of living organisms: parasitic fungi absorb nutrients from the cells of living hosts. Some parasitic fungi are pathogenic: mutualistic fungi absorb nutrients from a host organism, but reciprocate with actions that benefit the host.