Question

1. Give a brief description of fungi, touch on their taxonomy and ecology.(BIO_SCI 1113: GENERAL BIOLOGY)

Answer 1

A fungus(fungi in plural) any member of the known eukaryotic organism which includes yeast , molds, mushrooms. These organism are classified under kingdom fungi. These organism are among the most widely distributed on Earth. Many fungi are free living in soil or water, some are parasitic or symbiotic relationship with plants and animals.

Taxonomy of Fungi : The taxonomy of Fungi is in a state of constant flux, especially based on DNA comparison. The major phyla of fungi has been classified into the seven types on the basis of characteristics of their sexual reproductive structures. They are : Ascomycota ,Basidiomycota, Blastocladiomycota, Chytridiomycota, Glomeromycota, Microsporidia, Neocallimastigomycota

The detailed taxonomical distribution are given following

Ecology of Fungi: They play a important role as a decomposer in most of the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem. As a decomposer they play a critical role in biogeochemical cycle , food webs, nutrient cycling and in symbiosis. Saprophytic fungi can degrade the dead organic matter into inorganic molecules which is important for growth of plants and animals. They are involved in detritus food chain. They have important symbiotic relationship with various organism, interaction can be mutualistic or antagonistic. Example -Mycorrhizal fungi can cause symbiosis with plants. Saprotrophs are found in tropical and temperate zones. Moisture and temperature are two important ecological factor for their growth. Majority of fungi are mesophilic ( optimum growth temperature 20-30°C, they required a short period at 60°C for their spores to germinate.