Fungi are a very different type of organisms. They are neither like plants nor animals. This is the one of the reasons for them being considered as a separate kingdom. This is a recent development as fungi were earlier considered to be a member of the plant kingdom. This was mainly because most of the fungi remained rooted to the soil, a feature similar to plants. After a lot of debate and the diversity among the various fungi, they have been given the privilege of being a separate kingdom. There are estimated to be ten times more fungi in the world than the numbers of vascular plants and we know about only 10% of them.
Most of the fungi are multicellular. The basic structural unit of a multicellular fungus is the threadlike filament which is called as hypha. These hyphae develop from the fungal spores. The hyphae elongate at the tips and also branch to form networks of filaments called as mycelium. There are numerous types of hyphae in a single mycelium. While some hyphae hold the fungus, some hyphae invade the source of food and some other hyphae form the reproductive structures of the fungus. The fungal cell walls possess a complex carbohydrate known as chitin. Chitin is responsible for the strength as well as flexibility of the fungus.
There are several types of fungi divided into one or more nuclei. The movement of the fungi is efficient. However, fungi are harmful, while some are poisonous and spoil the food or cause disease. But, there are fungi that are beneficial. They help in breaking down huge amounts of wastes, debris, dead organisms and breaks down organic substances. Fungi will not be able to produce food. Fungi may be a saprophyte, a parasite or even a mutualist depending on the source from which it draws its food. Saprophytes decompose the dead and decaying matter, parasites feed upon the living organisms and mutualists live in co-operation with other organisms.
Fungal reproduction may be either sexual or asexual. The type of reproduction depends on the external environmental conditions. The asexual methods of reproduction are fragmentation, spore production and budding while the sexual methods are producing gametes. Fragmentation involves breaking of the hyphae. Budding is another asexual reproductive method prominent among yeast. Spore formation is the most common method of asexual reproduction. The advantage of reproducing with spores is that spores being lightweight can easily float in the air and traverse longer distances. Fungi release the spores at a speed of 25 meters pr second and this also contributes to the wider spreading of spores. Sexual reproduction is very rare in fungi.
Related posts: