Aspergillus fumigatus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa are central fungal and bacterial members of the pulmonary microbiota. What type of mold is Aspergillus? Aspergillus lives in the environment Aspergillus, the mold (a type of fungus) that causes aspergillosis, is very common both indoors and outdoors, so most people breathe in fungal sporesRead More →
Fungi of the genus Mucor and the division Zygomycetes are non-septate. Is Mucor unicellular or multicellular? Mushrooms, toadstools and moulds (such as Mucor) are multicellular fungi. Yeast is an example of a single-celled fungus. Is Mucor a Zygomycete? This was further promoted because most of the pathogenic zygomycetes were originallyRead More →
No animal species is immune. Aflatoxins are among the most carcinogenic substances known. After entering the body, aflatoxins may be metabolized by the liver to a reactive epoxide intermediate or hydroxylated to become the less harmful aflatoxin M1. What is a carcinogenic mycotoxin? Mycotoxins are carcinogenic toxins that are producedRead More →
How do fungi obtain nutrients? All fungi obtain nutrients by secreting digestive enzymes that break down organic matter in their environment; then they absorb the decomposed molecules. How do fungi use hyphae to obtain their food? Hyphae absorb nutrients from the environment. As fungi grow, hyphae extend into the foodRead More →
First described nearly three hundred years ago by the priest and botanist Antonio Micheli, Aspergillus got its name from the resemblance of its asexual spore-forming structure to the aspergillum, an instrument used to disperse holy water in some Christian liturgical services. Where was aspergillosis found? Aspergillosis is a fungal infectionRead More →
The chytridiomycota are the only major group of true (chitin-walled) fungi that produce zoospores. These fungi are very common as saprotrophs, facultative parasites and obligate parasites in moist soil and freshwater habitats. They depend on their zoospores for dispersal and site-selection. What is the importance of Chytridiomycota? Because Chytridiomycota oftenRead More →
The Basidiomycota (“Club Fungi”) As the accompanying drawing indicates, in this group, spores– more technically known as basidiospores — are produced on microscopic, club-like structures called basidia (singular basidium). How do you identify club fungi? Most club fungi are mycelial (although there are a few yeasts in the group). TheRead More →
All fungi are heterotrophic, which means that they get the energy they need to live from other organisms. Like animals, fungi extract the energy stored in the bonds of organic compounds such as sugar and protein from living or dead organisms. Many of these compounds can also be recycled forRead More →