Unit 3: Divirsity of Life
Module 4: Kingdom Protista and Kindom Fungi
Learning Objectives: 2.9, 2.10
Lesson 2: A Look at Fungi
Lesson Objectives:
- To describe the general characteristics of fungi
- To collect (or culture) and observe some examples of fungi.
Evaluation:
- Activity: Kingdom Fungi Questions (for future evaluation)
- Assignment: "Laboratory - Mold Growth on Foods" [15 marks]
General Characteristics of Fungi:
1. Fungi are eukaryotic, plant like organisms.
2. Unlike plants, fungi lack chlorophyll as well as true roots, stems, and leaves.
3. Fungi are heterotrophic organisms. Specialized filaments, called hyphae, secrete enzymes which are responsible for digestion. Digested food is then absorbed by the hyphae. (This type of digestion is referred to as extracellular, which means that food is digested externally before being absorbed.)
Reading: "Fungi and Plants" p. 438 - 443 Nelson Biology
Assignment: "Laboratory - Mold Growth on Foods"
Complete all lab procedures and questions as outlined on p. 442 Nelson Biology
As noted in the lab, you will have to prepare your mold cultures and then record daily observations for 3- 5 days before concluding the lab. Prepare your cultures before continuing on with the remainder of this lesson.
Activity: Kingdom Fungi Questions
Using your text book, answer the following questions:
1. In what ways are fungi similar to plants?
2. In what ways are fungi different from plants?
3. Most fungi are saprophytes. Explain what the term saprophyte means and describe the importance of saprophytes in our environment.
4. Describe the structure and the function of each of the following parts that make up fungi.
- a) hyphae
- b) stolon
- c) rhizoids
- d) mycelium
5. a) List two lichens that are familiar to Canadians.
b) What is meant by a "symbiotic relationship"?
c) What two organisms make up a lichen?
d) How does each organism benefit from the relationship?
e) Suggest two reasons lichens are important.
6. Search the internet for pictures of various organisms that belong to the Kingdom Fungi. In a well structured paragraph, discuss the variety of form, size, color etc. that exists among members of the Kingdom Fungi.
7. Answer question #1 in the "Critical Thinking Questions" section of page 467 of the Nelson Biology textbook. Because we have not yet studied plants, only answer the question about fungi.
The question would read as follows:
7. Life on earth would certainly be different without fungi. Discuss the ecological, economic, social, cultural and political ramifications of severely reducing the biodiversity of fungi. Make a list of pros and cons.
(Question adapted from p. 467 Nelson Biology)
Note: Often the plant kingdom is studied following the fungi as these two kingdoms appear to be related in some ways. However, because part of Unit 4 involves the study of plant structure and function, we will leave the classification of plants until the last module in this unit. In this way, Unit 3 Module 6 will serve as an introduction to Unit 4.
