Fungus-like Protists

Similarities and Differences of Fungi and Fungus-like Protists

Fungi and fungi-like protists are both heterotrophs.

Fungus-like protists contain centrioles, unlike most fungi. Fungus-like protists lack chitin which true fungi use for cell walls.

Similarities

Differences

Kinds of fungus-like protists

Slime Molds
 Cellular Slime Molds (Acrasiomycota)  Acellular Slime Molds (Myxomycota)

Water Molds

Slime Molds
Are fungus-like protists that play key roles in recycling organic materials. At one stage of their life cycles, slime molds look just like amoebas. At other stage, they form mold like clumps that produce spores, almost like fungi.

Two kinds of Slime Molds

Cellular Slime Molds

 Individual

cells remain separated during every phase of the molds lie cycle.

Acellular Slime Molds

 Pass through a stage

in which its cells fuse to form large cells with many nuclei.

Cellular Slime Molds

Most live as free living cells. Not easily distinguishable from soil amoebas. Produces spores when food is scarce. Produce sexually in nutrient rich soil. Produces diploid zygotes. They emit chemicals that attract the same species. Cells gather into 1 colony that functions as a single organism

Cellular Slime Molds

The colony moves slightly, then stops to produce a fruiting body, a slender reproductive structure that produces spores. The spores are scattered from the fruiting body. Each spores produces one cell, starting the cycle again.

Life Cycle of Cellular Slime Mold

Acellular Slime Molds

Begins as amoeba like cells. When they aggregate, their cells fuse to produce structures with many nuclei known as plasmodia. Fruiting bodies, or sporangia, arise from the plasmodium. The sporangia produce haploid spores by meiosis. Spores scatter and germinate into flagellated cells.

Acellular Slime Molds

Cells fuse to produce diploid zygotes.

Life Cycle of Acellular Slime Mold

Water Molds

Thrive in dead or decaying matter in water. Some are plant parasites on land. Water molds produce thin filaments known as hyphae. Have cell walls made of cellulose, true fungi doesnt Produce motile spores which fungi doesnt do. Produce sexually and asexually.

Water Molds

In asexual reproduction, portions of the hyphae develops into the zoosporangia, which are spore cases. Each zoosporangia produces flagellated spores that swim in search of food. When spores find food, the spores develop into another hyphae, which then grows into a new organism. Sexual reproduction occurs in specialized structures formed by the hyphae.

Water Molds
The antheridium produces male nuclei. The oogonium produces female nuclei. Fertilization occurs within the oogonium and the spores that form develops into new organisms.

Life Cycle of Water Molds

FERTILIZATION SEXUAL REPRODUCTION

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION MEIOSIS

Life Cycle of Water Molds

Flagellated Spores (N)

Hypha

Mycelium (2N)

Germination and mitosis

Life Cycle of Water Molds

Antheridium Egg cells (N) Fertilization Zygotes (2N) Oogonium

Mycelium (2N)

Flagellated spores (N)

Ecology of Fungus-like Protists

 

  

Slime molds and water molds recycle organic material. After organisms die, their tissues are broken down by slime molds, water molds, and other decomposers. Some fungus-like protists can harm living things. Land-dwelling water molds cause a number of plant diseases, including mildews and blights. A water mold was responsible for the Great Potato Famine in the 1800s.

Presented by:
JP Algodon Yale Catabay Paul Gingco Gari Lacuata Michael Reyes

Sources

http://jcareywi.tripod.com/id23.html http://www.ucmp.berkeley.edu/fungi/fungi.html http://visualparadox.com/wallpapers/pushpin1600.htm http://students.ncwc.edu/bio101/protista/Default.htm http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRCYXC7Z1p0g6DtYEUqOlJ_NgCdgi3eR_JQ6gSk503SKVcPTPb3d-mV8GpqA http://sparkleberrysprings.com/v-web/b2/index.php?m=200803 http://my.opera.com/seanmparker1/albums/slideshow/?album=6 76256