What term describes the cells of fungi?

Answer 1

The term best describes the cells of fungi is Eukaryotic

Answer 2

The fungi are all heterotrophic

They have a filamentous cell structure that is essentially undifferentiated

They have chitin cell walls rather than cellulose

This is why they are included in their own kingdom which in some ways is closer to animals than plants. For example insect and other arthropod skeletons are made of chitin.

Fungal Hyphae

A single fungal filament is called a hyphen (plural hyphae). The chitin cell wall encloses a cytoplasm that may be undivided (Zygomycetes - molds), partially divided by perforated cross-walls (Ascomycetes - morels, cup fungi, blue molds) or fully divided (BasidiomThe fungi are all heterotrophic

They have a filamentous cell structure that is essentially undifferentiated

They have chitin cell walls rather than cellulose

This is why they are included in their own kingdom which in some ways is closer to animals than plants. For example insect and other arthropod skeletons are made of chitin.

Fungal Hyphae

A single fungal filament is called a hypha (plural hyphae). The chitin cell wall encloses a cytoplasm that may be undivided (Zygomycetes - molds), partially divided by perforated cross-walls (Ascomycetes - morels, cup fungi, blue molds) or fully divided (Basidiomycetes - mushrooms). The cytoplasm contains one or more haploid nuclei. If there are no cross-walls the cell structure is is said to be "coenocytic". Many basidiomycetes have hyphae built up of uninucleate cells. The yeasts are exceptional among the Ascomycetes in that they are usually uninucleate and unicellular (non-filamentous).

Hyphae grow at their tips and branch to form a mass of interwoven strands that is called mycelium. This is a culture of Pythium isolated from Taxus.

In many fungi the mycelium will form special structures in which nuclei will fuse to form diploid cells. These undergo meiosis to form haploid spores which can be transported over huge distances.Hyphae all tend to look alike and fruiting bodies are often the easiest way to distinguish different fungi. This is the stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus.impudicus

.

Some fungi, particularly yeasts exist predominantly as single cells and never form large fruiting bodies.

Fungal diseases

For some reason human fungal diseases (like yeast infections, toenail fungus and athletes foot) have become more common in recent years. However it is probably true to say that we suffer from more viral and bacterial diseases than fungal.

It is the other way round with plants; fungi cause many more diseases and losses from these diseases are worse than for bacteria and viruses. Fungal pathogens can get past the plant's defenses more readily than the other organisms. Their hyphae produce enzymes that can digest both plant cuticle and cell walls so that they can penetrate the surface and the internal tissues of healthy plants

ycetes - mushrooms). The cytoplasm contains one or more haploid nuclei. If there are no cross-walls the cell structure is is said to be "coenocytic". Many basidiomycetes have hyphae built up of uninucleate cells. The yeasts are exceptional among the Ascomycetes in that they are usually uninucleate and unicellular (non-filamentous).

Hyphae grow at their tips and branch to form a mass of interwoven strands that is called mycelium. This is a culture of Pythium isolated from Taxus.

In many fungi the mycelium will form special structures in which nuclei will fuse to form diploid cells. These undergo meiosis to form haploid spores which can be transported over huge distances.Hyphae all tend to look alike and fruiting bodies are often the easiest way to distinguish different fungi. This is the stinkhorn, Phallus impudicus.impudicus

.

Some fungi, particularly yeasts exist predominantly as single cells and never form large fruiting bodies.

Fungal diseases

For some reason human fungal diseases (like yeast infections, toenail fungus and athletes foot) have become more common in recent years. However it is probably true to say that we suffer from more viral and bacterial diseases than fungal.

It is the other way round with plants; fungi cause many more diseases and losses from these diseases are worse than for bacteria and viruses. Fungal pathogens can get past the plant's defenses more readily than the other organisms. Their hyphae produce enzymes that can digest both plant cuticle and cell walls so that they can penetrate the surface and the internal tissues of healthy plants