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Mr. Carl's e-Class

Topic:  Fungi

What Are Fungi? | Structure | How Do Fungi Obtain Food?
Reproduction in Fungi | Classification of Fungi | Fungi and the Living World


What Are Fungi?

Fungi are a unique life form.  Fungi vary in size and shape.  Some fungi are unicellular and others are multicellular.  They are eukaryotic, heterotrophic decomposers that live in moist, warm environments and reproduce by spores.

Structure

All fungi, except for yeast, are composed of structures called hyphae.  These hyphae are branching, threadlike tubes that make up the entire fungal body.

Fungi vary in size and shape.  Most of us have seen fungi growing on the side of trees or on the ground as we take a walk through the woods.

Mushroom

Other Images of Fungi

Fungi 1
Fungi 2
Fungi 3
Fungi 4
Fungi 5

How Do Fungi Obtain Food?

Fungi feed by absorbing food through the hyphae.  They do this by the following method:
  1. The fungus grow hyphae into a food source.
  2. Digestive juices ooze from the tips of the hyphae.
  3. These juices break down the food.
  4. The hyphae then absorb the dissolved food.
Some fungi break down decaying organisms.  Others live as parasites on other living organisms.  Athlete's foot is an example of fungus that grows on a person's skin.