BSC 1011C EXAM 3 CH. 24-26 QUESTIONS WITH
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Fungi plants vs. animals - Answers - Fungi, once considered plant-like organisms, are
more closely related to animals than plants. Fungi are not capable of photosynthesis:
they are heterotrophic because they use complex organic compounds as sources of
energy and carbon. Fungi share a few other traits with animals. Their cell walls are
composed of chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. Fungi produce a
number of pigments, including melanin, also found in the hair and skin of animals. Like
animals, fungi also store carbohydrates as glycogen.
Mycorrhiza & Lichens - Answers - The roots of the plant connect with the underground
parts of the fungus, which form mycorrhizae. Through mycorrhizae, the fungus and
plant exchange nutrients and water, greatly aiding the survival of both species.
Alternatively, lichens are an association between a fungus and its photosynthetic
partner (usually an alga).
The scientific study of fungi - Answers - mycology {root word myc-}
Fungi cell structure - Answers - As eukaryotes, fungal cells contain a membrane-bound
nucleus. The DNA in the nucleus is wrapped around histone proteins, as is observed in
other eukaryotic cells. A few types of fungi have accessory genomic structures
comparable to bacterial plasmids (loops of DNA); however, the horizontal transfer of
genetic information that occurs between one bacterium and another rarely occurs in
fungi. Fungal cells also contain mitochondria and a complex system of internal
membranes, including the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Unlike plant
cells, fungal cells do not have chloroplasts or chlorophyll.
What characteristics do fungi share with animals? - Answers - Fungi are heterotrophic
organisms that use complex compounds as sources of energy and carbon. Their cell
walls are also composed of chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods.
They also produce several pigments, including melanin, and store carbohydrates as
glycogen.
Fungi pigments - Answers - Many fungi display bright colors arising from other cellular
pigments, ranging from red to green to black. Pigments in fungi are associated with the
cell wall and play a protective role against ultraviolet radiation. Some fungal pigments
are toxic to humans. Ex) Amanita muscaria.
Fungi cell wall - Answers - Like plant cells, fungal cells have a thick cell wall. The rigid
layers of fungal cell walls contain complex polysaccharides called chitin and glucans.
Chitin (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), also found in the exoskeleton of arthropods such as
, insects, gives structural strength to the cell walls of fungi. The wall protects the cell from
desiccation and some predators.
Fungi plasma membrane - Answers - Fungi have plasma membranes similar to those of
other eukaryotes, except that the structure is stabilized by ergosterol: a steroid molecule
that replaces the cholesterol found in animal cell membranes.
Fungi supergroup - Answers - Unikonta
What is the definition of yeast? Give two examples. - Answers - Yeast is unicellular
fungi. Some examples are Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) and Candida
species (the agents of thrush).
What are hyphae? What type of fungi produce these structures? - Answers - Hyphae
are the branching filaments that make up the mycelium of a fungus. Multicellular fungi
produce these structures.
Describe the general structure (vegetative stage) of a multicellular fungus. - Answers -
The vegetative stage of a multicellular fungus consists of a tangle of hyphae, whereas
the reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. It
can grow on a surface, in soil or decaying material, in a liquid, or even on living tissue.
What is the difference between septate and coenocytic fungi? - Answers - Septate fungi
have segmented hyphae while coenocytic fungi has a relatively smooth hyphae
Explain how fungi obtain nutrients - Answers - Fungi are heterotrophs that obtain carbon
and nitrogen from their diets. They digest their food first and then ingest it. First,
exoenzymes are transported out of the hyphae, where they process nutrients in the
environment. Then, the smaller molecules produced by this external digestion are
absorbed through the large surface area of the mycelium. Fungi are mostly saprobes
that derive nutrients from decaying organic matter. They obtain their nutrients from dead
or decomposing organic material derived mainly from plants. Fungal exoenzymes can
break down insoluble compounds, such as the cellulose and lignin of dead wood, into
readily absorbable glucose molecules. The carbon, nitrogen, and other elements are
thus released into the environment. Some can also be parasitic, infecting plants or
animals, and possessing specialized hyphae called haustoria. Haustoria penetrates the
tissue of the host, releases digestive enzymes within the host's body, and absorbs the
digested nutrients.
mycelium - Answers - The vegetative stage consists of a tangle of hyphae, whereas the
reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. It can
grow on a surface, in soil or decaying material, in a liquid, or even on living tissue.
Fungal septa - Answers - Most fungal hyphae are divided into separate cells by
endwalls called septa (singular, septum)
VERIFIED ANSWERS
Fungi plants vs. animals - Answers - Fungi, once considered plant-like organisms, are
more closely related to animals than plants. Fungi are not capable of photosynthesis:
they are heterotrophic because they use complex organic compounds as sources of
energy and carbon. Fungi share a few other traits with animals. Their cell walls are
composed of chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods. Fungi produce a
number of pigments, including melanin, also found in the hair and skin of animals. Like
animals, fungi also store carbohydrates as glycogen.
Mycorrhiza & Lichens - Answers - The roots of the plant connect with the underground
parts of the fungus, which form mycorrhizae. Through mycorrhizae, the fungus and
plant exchange nutrients and water, greatly aiding the survival of both species.
Alternatively, lichens are an association between a fungus and its photosynthetic
partner (usually an alga).
The scientific study of fungi - Answers - mycology {root word myc-}
Fungi cell structure - Answers - As eukaryotes, fungal cells contain a membrane-bound
nucleus. The DNA in the nucleus is wrapped around histone proteins, as is observed in
other eukaryotic cells. A few types of fungi have accessory genomic structures
comparable to bacterial plasmids (loops of DNA); however, the horizontal transfer of
genetic information that occurs between one bacterium and another rarely occurs in
fungi. Fungal cells also contain mitochondria and a complex system of internal
membranes, including the endoplasmic reticulum and Golgi apparatus. Unlike plant
cells, fungal cells do not have chloroplasts or chlorophyll.
What characteristics do fungi share with animals? - Answers - Fungi are heterotrophic
organisms that use complex compounds as sources of energy and carbon. Their cell
walls are also composed of chitin, which is found in the exoskeletons of arthropods.
They also produce several pigments, including melanin, and store carbohydrates as
glycogen.
Fungi pigments - Answers - Many fungi display bright colors arising from other cellular
pigments, ranging from red to green to black. Pigments in fungi are associated with the
cell wall and play a protective role against ultraviolet radiation. Some fungal pigments
are toxic to humans. Ex) Amanita muscaria.
Fungi cell wall - Answers - Like plant cells, fungal cells have a thick cell wall. The rigid
layers of fungal cell walls contain complex polysaccharides called chitin and glucans.
Chitin (N-acetyl-D-glucosamine), also found in the exoskeleton of arthropods such as
, insects, gives structural strength to the cell walls of fungi. The wall protects the cell from
desiccation and some predators.
Fungi plasma membrane - Answers - Fungi have plasma membranes similar to those of
other eukaryotes, except that the structure is stabilized by ergosterol: a steroid molecule
that replaces the cholesterol found in animal cell membranes.
Fungi supergroup - Answers - Unikonta
What is the definition of yeast? Give two examples. - Answers - Yeast is unicellular
fungi. Some examples are Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) and Candida
species (the agents of thrush).
What are hyphae? What type of fungi produce these structures? - Answers - Hyphae
are the branching filaments that make up the mycelium of a fungus. Multicellular fungi
produce these structures.
Describe the general structure (vegetative stage) of a multicellular fungus. - Answers -
The vegetative stage of a multicellular fungus consists of a tangle of hyphae, whereas
the reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. It
can grow on a surface, in soil or decaying material, in a liquid, or even on living tissue.
What is the difference between septate and coenocytic fungi? - Answers - Septate fungi
have segmented hyphae while coenocytic fungi has a relatively smooth hyphae
Explain how fungi obtain nutrients - Answers - Fungi are heterotrophs that obtain carbon
and nitrogen from their diets. They digest their food first and then ingest it. First,
exoenzymes are transported out of the hyphae, where they process nutrients in the
environment. Then, the smaller molecules produced by this external digestion are
absorbed through the large surface area of the mycelium. Fungi are mostly saprobes
that derive nutrients from decaying organic matter. They obtain their nutrients from dead
or decomposing organic material derived mainly from plants. Fungal exoenzymes can
break down insoluble compounds, such as the cellulose and lignin of dead wood, into
readily absorbable glucose molecules. The carbon, nitrogen, and other elements are
thus released into the environment. Some can also be parasitic, infecting plants or
animals, and possessing specialized hyphae called haustoria. Haustoria penetrates the
tissue of the host, releases digestive enzymes within the host's body, and absorbs the
digested nutrients.
mycelium - Answers - The vegetative stage consists of a tangle of hyphae, whereas the
reproductive stage can be more conspicuous. The mass of hyphae is a mycelium. It can
grow on a surface, in soil or decaying material, in a liquid, or even on living tissue.
Fungal septa - Answers - Most fungal hyphae are divided into separate cells by
endwalls called septa (singular, septum)
