1.5 Fungi

2026-02-10 20:26

Fungi

Fruiting Body - above ground
Mycelium - below ground
These two parts are connected by filaments (threads) known as hyphae
Fungi prefer large surface areas to more efficiently gain nutrition and disperse spores

Are underground
- Hyphae spread out and become part of the mycelium root network
Heterotrophs that don’t consume other organisms
- The mycelium secretes enzymes (proteins) that digest its surrounds and the hyphae absorbs the organic material
Some fungi can communicate with other mycelium

Parasitic
- Fungi invades a host and absorbs the nutrients of the organism. It secretes enzymes within the organism and digests it alive :o
Predatory
- Mycelia wrap around prey to trap them then releases enzymes to digest them online
- Can sense presence of prey somehow and activate predatory mechanisms
Mutualistic
- Partner with other organisms to gain energy or glucose in exchange for extra nutrition from the fungi (due to fungus activity and structures)
Saprobial
- Consume and decompose dead organic matter