Phylum Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)

Phylum Ascomycota (Sac Fungi)

~50,000 species (over ⅔ of fungi belong here) Sac Fungi consists of MONOKARYOTIC HYPHAE with CONIDIA. (A-sexual windblown spores pinched off fingerlike hyphae) Most eventually form DIKARYOTIC HYPHAE and produce ASCOSPORES (sexual windblown spores) inside tubular cells called ASCI (singular= ASCUS) Asci often occur in ASCOCARPS (multicellular fruiting bodies composed of interwoven dikaryotic hyphae) Many species have NO sexual reproduction.

Ringworm & Athlete's Foot

Animal Parasites

Black Knot

Dutch elm disease, powdery mildew, many plant parasites

Lichens

Mostly grey-green or yellow-green mutualistic organisms composed of saprotrophic sac fungus (provides protection, support, water & minerals) & a PHOTOSYNTHETIC CYANOBACTERIA OR GREEN ALGAE. (provides food- fungus takes up to 80% of the sugar produced) They make up about ½ of sac fungi & live on rocks, soil, trees and ice. Reproduction: mostly ASEXUAL by means for SOREDIA (structures containing fungi & algae) They are SOIL PRODUCERS (break down rock surfaces) & are major producers in tundra ecosystems. Also, they are very sensitive to air pollution. Lichens have 3 main body forms: 1) Crustose- Flat and curst-like 2) Foliose- Flat and leaf like, attached at a few points 3) Fruticose- Highly branched

Blue Green, Red & Brown Molds

Saprotophs that cause food spoilage. Fuzzy appearance comes from millions of CONIDIA, which can cause respiratory infections. They are used to make blue cheese, soy sauce and sake.

Cup Fungi

Saprotrophs with cup shaped ASCOCARPS.

Morels

Saprotrophs with mushroom shaped ASCOCARPS.

Yeast

single cell saprotrophs used to make wine, break, or parasites that cause yeast infections.