Question

How are fungi important as decomposers, mutulists, and pathogens? Discussion Question

Answer 1

Fungus is a eukaryotic elongated cell filled with cytoplasm and nucleus. It shows heterotrophic mode of nutrition. Under this category of nutrition, an organism can be a pathogen or a decomposer or a mutualist.

Fungi are important decomposers. They help in the breakdown of complex organic matter because they absorptive type of nutrition. They secrete special substances called as exoenzymes outside the cell which helps in the breakdown of complex organic matter into simple inorganic matter which is than absorbed by the fungus. By this way, fungus helps in the the decomposition of organic substances.

Fungus are important pathogen because they are responsible for causing various plants and animal diseases. In plants, the cause disease like late blight of potato by Phytophthora infestans, early blight of potato by Alternaria solani. In animals they cause diseases like aspergillosis and various skin diseases. Under the category of nutrition, fungal cells nutrition directly from the living host cell.

Apart from being pathogen and decomposer, a fungus conform mutualistic relationship with other organisms. Relationship between fungus and roots of higher plants is referred to as by mycorrhiza. In this case, fungus helps the plant to absorb Phosphorus from the soil and provide biotic and abiotic stress tolerance to the plant. And in return the fungus carbohydrates and shelter from the plant. Another important mutualistic relationship formed by fungus is lichen which is an association between fungi and algae. The fungus provide shelter to the algae and in return get sugar from it. In this case the algae is the photosynthetic partner which perform photosynthesis and helps in the formation of Sugars.

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