Fungi

Fungi Kingdom: Fungi Common Name: Virus (Each species have its own common name) Appearance: Fungi are another set of useful organisms that mainly work alongside bacteria to decompose dead organisms. They may be unicellular or multicellular with long filaments and molds. The main growing structure is called hyphae, which are thread-like structures. Several hyphae fuse together to form the base called mycelium. The hyphae may be septate with separate compartments or coenocytic. Host Plants or Food: Many fungi form a symbiotic relationship with other organisms, benefitting both in the process. Others act as parasites and pathogens on plants, animals, and other fungi. Some common fungal hosts include plant roots, leaves, algae, humans, and other animals. Territory: Throughout the world Mode of Damage:  They occur as parasites on plants and animals and may cause damage to internal structures depending upon the species. Plant fungi act as sapsuckers, root, tuber, and bulb feeders. This weakens the plant internally. Habits and Life History: Fungi are found all around the world, both on the soil as well as on water. They prefer temperate, moist conditions and reproduce in large numbers. They grow via both sexual and asexual reproduction based on their living environment. Asexual reproduction generally takes place through spores or fragmentation. It is a more efficient means of growth compared to sexual reproduction. Sexual reproduction mainly consists of a haploid and a diploid stage. Two individual hyphae combine together such that their nuclei fuse to form a diploid zygote. After the formation of dikaryotic hyphae, a specialized structure forms depending on the fungal division. It could be an ascocarp, basidia, or gametangium in which the haploid spores are stored. The spores are then ejected and commonly spread through the wind, and the life cycle starts again.