The fungus can be defined as a living organism which belongs to eukaryotes. The study of fungi is called as mycology. (myco means Fungi and logy means study).
It’s size ranges from microscopic size to macroscopic sizes. They are heterotrophic in nature (fungi are dependent on other animals for their food). As the fungus are heterotrophic in nature therefore, they do not have chloroplast and chlorophyll in their body structure. The heterotrophic fungi are of three types such as parasitic, saprophytic and symbiotic.
Parasitic fungi: It is one kind of interaction between two organisms in which one get benefit and other harmed. The parasitic fungi take the shelter from other organism.
Saprophytic fungi: The fungus which grows and lives on the dead and decaying organic matter and takes the energy from organic matter then it is called as saprophytes.
Symbiotic fungi: It is a beneficial kind of interaction in which fungi lives in an association with another organism. For example: Algae and fungi lives in association for the lichen.
Characteristics of fungus:
- They generally do not have pigment.
- In the cell wall of fungus, a unique component is present which is called as chitin.
- Some of the fungi are edible fungus.
- Some of the fungi are pathogenic therefore to kill such fungi one of the fungicide solutions is sprayed on the plants.
- Generally, fungi do not have true roots, leaves and stem.
- The unicellular fungus is called as yeast for example: Saccharomyces cerevisiae whereas the multicellular fungus is called as molds for example: Penicillium and Aspergillus.
- Fungi can undergo both sexual as well as asexual mode of reproduction.
Types of fungi:
There are 4 types of fungi:
- Ascomycetes: They are also called as sac fungi.
- Phycomycetes: These are also referred as lower fungi.
- Deuteromycetes: They are also known as fungi imperfect.
- Basidiomycetes: They are also called as club fungi.
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