Fungi
Fungi - Related Videos
08:58
Filamentous Fungi
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2023
Source: Laboratories of Dr. Ian Pepper and Dr. Charles Gerba - The University of Arizona Demonstrating Author: Bradley Schmitz Fungi are heterotrophic eukaryotic organisms, and with the exception of yeasts, are aerobic. They are abundant in surface soils and are important for their role in nutrient cycling and the decomposition of organic matter and organic contaminants. White rot fungi (phanerochaete chryosporium) for example, (Figure 1) are known to degrade aromatics. Figure 1. White rot on...
01:29
Overview of Fungi
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2025
Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...
07:58
Use of Image Cytometry for Quantification of Pathogenic Fungi in Association with Host Cells
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Cited by 1 •
2013
Here, we demonstrate how image cytometry can be used for quantification of pathogenic fungi in association with host cells in culture. This technique can be used as an alternative to CFU enumeration.
12:33
Determination of Biofilm Initiation on Virus-infected Cells by Bacteria and Fungi
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Cited by 3 •
2016
A method is described herein for the determination of inter-Kingdom association and competition (bacterial and fungal) for adherence to virus-infected HeLa cell monolayers. This protocol can be extended to multiple combinations of prokaryotes, eukaryotes, and viruses.
11:24
Rapid Deletion Production in Fungi via Agrobacterium Mediated Transformation of OSCAR Deletion Constructs
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Cited by 8 •
2017
Gene deletion mutants generated through homologous recombination are the gold standard for gene function studies. The OSCAR (One Step Construction of Agrobacterium-Recombination-ready-plasmids) method for rapid generation of deletion constructs is described. Agrobacterium mediated fungal transformation follows. Finally, a PCR based confirmation method of gene deletions in fungal transformants is presented.
FAQs
Fungi release extracellular enzymes into their surroundings, where the enzymes break complex organic materials into soluble molecules. Cells then absorb these smaller molecules for nutrition. This outside-the-cell digestion allows fungal growth on materials that cannot be taken up directly and helps explain fungi’s important role in decomposing organic matter and supporting nutrient cycling.
Threadlike hyphae form interconnected networks called mycelia, giving fungi a structure for growth through organic material. This network organization helps place fungal cells in contact with available resources while extracellular digestion occurs outside the cells. Studying these structures also makes fungi useful for investigating eukaryotic cell organization in biology.
These strategies differ according to how fungi obtain nutrients and interact with other organisms. Decomposers acquire resources from organic matter, symbiotic fungi exchange or share benefits with partners, and disease-causing fungi obtain nutrients while harming a host. Comparing these relationships helps biologists examine fungal effects on ecosystems, plants, animals, and microbial communities.
Many fungi produce or disperse spores, allowing fungal lineages to spread beyond the immediate growth network. Spores provide a distinct way to extend fungal presence through the environment, complementing growth by hyphae and mycelia. In biology, examining spore formation and dispersal helps researchers study fungal life cycles and ecological distribution.
Fungi provide experimental systems for studying eukaryotic cell organization, genetics, and evolution. Their use connects cellular processes with broader questions about how organisms inherit traits and change over time. Findings from fungal models can therefore contribute to fundamental biology while also informing research involving fungal interactions, agriculture, infection, and ecosystem health.
Fungal activities support several practical areas of biology and biotechnology. Their capacity to transform organic materials contributes to fermentation and food production, while fungal biology also supports drug development. These applications build on the same nutritional and cellular processes that make fungi ecologically important, linking basic research with food, pharmaceutical, and industrial goals.