Classification(7):

• 5 phyla organized by shape of reproductive structure

1. Basidiomycetes- reproductive structures are club-shaped; include mushrooms, mutualists and plant parasites
2. Ascomycetes- produce sexual spores in saclike asci, called sac fungi
3. Glomeromycetes- form arbuscular mycorrhizae, supply minerals and other nutrients to plant roots
4. Zygomycetes- white and fuzzy, include molds, parasitic or commensal symbionts of animals
5. Chytrids- decomposers that live in fresh water, known for flagellated spores

pic (9)

Body Form(7):

• Made up of a mass of filaments called hyphae
• Mycelium: mat/mass of tangled hyphae (haploid)
• Fruiting body/reproductive structure: only part that has diploid structure

          ex) Mushroom, mold

pic (8)

Nutrition:

• Absorb nutrients from living or dead organic matter that they grow on (simple, easily dissolved nutrients) walls(3)
• They give off special digestive enzymes to break down complex nutrients into simpler forms that they can absorb(3)

• Heterotrophic (6)
    -Most species of fungi are saprotrophic; they decompose dead matter

          - Some species are parasites and others are mutualistic

• Are the main decomposers of every ecosystem; can break down most organic compounds including lignin (6)
  
• Store their food as glycogen (6)