mycology

Lecture (1) mycology,
Definition: mycology is the study of fungi .
General Characteristics of True Fungi (Mycota or Eumycota)
1. All are eukaryotic, fungi have a nucleus that surrounds and protects its DNA. Unlike animal cells, fungi have a rigid cell wall that is made of chitin. The fungal cell wall provides protection and support for the cell. Inside the fungal cell wall is the cell or plasma membrane, which regulates the flow of substances into and out of the fungal cell. Fungi also have the following internal structures: nucleus, nucleolus, ribosomes (60S/40S), smooth and rough ER, Golgi apparatus, mitochondria, and a cytoskeleton.
2. Fungi exist in both large (macroscopic) and small (microscopic) forms. Macroscopic fungi include mushrooms and puffballs. One of the largest fungi ever found was 3.5 miles long and covered 2200 acres in Oregon. Another large fungi, discovered in Washington, covered 1500 acres and weighed 100 tons!
Microscopic fungi are dimorphic, which means that they exist in either of the two forms: multicellular mold or unicellular yeast.

Most of fungi are filamentous Composed of individual microscopic long, hair-like filaments called hyphae(Mold), which exhibit apical growth and which branch to form a network of a visible mass of hyphae called a mycelium. Hyphae are used for absorbing nutrients and for sexual reproduction!

Unlike yeast, molds grow primarily OUTSIDE the human body and prefer temperatures below 30°C and can be found growing both at room temperature and inside the refrigerator. Molds also prefer acidic environments, which is why they can often be found growing on citrus fruit, cheese, and bread. Molds can reproduce either asexually or sexually using reproductive spores. During asexual reproduction, the bread mold (Rhizopus) releases spores that germinate (grow) to produce vegetative (feeding) hyphae. During sexual reproduction, the reproductive hyphae "mate" and produce a zygospore.