Microscopic Specimens
Macroscopic Specimens
Questions
- What
are fungi? Describe characteristics that all fungi share.
Fungi are single-celled organisms that break down nutrients from the soil and absorb it as food.
- How
do fungi acquire nutrients?
They absorb nutrients from the soil that they break down.
- Because
of this mode of nutrition, fungi have evolved what structure to provide for
both extensive surface area and rapid growth?
The mycelium grows and produces even more fungi.
- How
do the cell walls of fungi differ from the cell walls of plants?
Fungi have a cell wall of chitin while plants are made of cellulose.
- How
do fungi contribute to an ecosystem? Be
specific!
Fungi is important because it decomposes the nutrients from waste and recycles them in the soil in order for an ecosystem to maintain homeostasis.
- Give
3 detailed examples of how fungi are important to humans.
Humans need fungi because they generate carbon dioxide which helps with photosynthesis in plants. The plants then produce oxygen for humans. Fungi also break down waste and filters water plus other contaminants. They can also be used to fight off bacteria.
WORKS CITED
Levine, Joseph S. and Kenneth R. Miller. Biology. Upper Saddle River. 2010. Print.
Nordqvist, Christian. "What Is Fungus? What Are Fungi?." Medical News Today. MediLexicon, Intl., 23 May. 2013. Web. 7 Apr. 2014. <http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/158134>