Fungi structure

Fungi structure

By Dr. Kyle Muller

Fungi are organisms that belong to the Fungi kingdom. They were considered for a long time as plants because they are organisms without movement, but are more related to us animals, since they are heterotrophs: They do not synthesize their own energybut they get it from external sources. The structure of the fungi is more complex than that of the mushrooms that we usually consume or the red fungi we see in the forest.

There are different types of fungi that can be divided into two large groups: filaments and yeaduriform. The former are multicellular organisms that form filaments composed of cells. On the contrary, yeaduriforiforms are unicellular.

Continue reading this ecology article where we explain in detail what is the fungi structure and how they vary between different types of groups.

Fruitful body

The fruitful body, reproductive body or sporocarpo is the part of the fungus with Reproductive functions And it is the Sexual phase of filamentous fungi. Here, spores producing structures, particular for each type of fungus will be formed. There are reproductive bodies that can emerge on the ground, called epigene, while there are also hypogeans, which are the ones that grow under it. This fruitful body is what we know as a fungus, but it is only part of the constitution of fungi.

We can distinguish the following parts of the fruitful body:

Universal veil

When the filamentous fungus begins to grow it does it first in a button, which is locked inside a universal veil. As the fungus increases in size, this veil is tear to release the developed contentleaving visible to the pyleus. The point comes at which the fungus grows completely, leaving the veil completely freed from the fungus. Traces of the veil can be left over the pyleus, as is the case of the characteristic Amanita Muscaria Red with small white motorcycles, which are fragments of veil.

Pyleum

It is the upper part that falls on the fungus. Is Also called a hat. It usually has a different coloration and texture from the other parts of the fungus. This variety is also presented in different species of fungus, making each characteristic. Is covered by a thin cuticle and can sometimes present “scales”.

Hymenium

Under the pyleus, sheets, folds, sponges, gels or tubes are housed, with spore producing and storage function. When creating compartments, greater amounts of spores can be housed. It is the Fertile fungus zone. The distribution and coloration of these compartments is essential for the identification of species. For example, the sheets can be accommodated radially, partial, or even branched. These differences are those that help identification when there are two very similar fungi.

If you want to know more about what the spores are, we recommend that you take a look at this other article.

Stipe

Also known as Estipite, it is the support of the top of the fruitful body, in addition to joining it with the other parts of the fungus. It Help rise from the ground so that their spores can be better dispersed. It can have several forms, such as claviform, filiform, cylindrical, conical, or even fluffy and holes.

Ring

It is formed in the middle of the stipe, as a sign of fungus growth. It is revealed when the partial veil is lost, which is the layer that covers the hymenium. May or may not present.

VOLVA

At the base of the stipe the universal veil can remain residual, forming a glass around the pyleus. This part is also important for identification, as it is usually Present in poisonous fungi.

Estipe base

It is the area that holds the stipe to the ground and that Connect with the vegetative bodywhich we will see in the next section. It is made up of messy hyphae that can bind to wood, cones of pine, roots, or other means to which they are associated.

Fungi structure - fruitful body

Vegetative body

This is the other type of filamentous fungi structure and carries out the Functions of its vegetative phase. It has no reproduction functions and therefore is very simple. It has no defined coloration or form, but it does contain clear and internal structures that help you carry out your development:

Hifas

They are the filaments that make up the vegetative body, composed of cells. They are threads and grow apical way at the tip of the hyphae. Its cell wall is Quitina compounda type of carbohydrate.

Septas

They are the structures that divide the hyphae. Despite these septa, the cells can communicate with each other through pores in these blocks. Thus they can do genetic recombination and reproduce. They can be in mind.

Mycelium

It is the set of hyphae, which are joined without any order in a filamentous tangle. There are two types of mycelliums:

  • The primary mycelium haploid: You need another haploid primary mycelium to form a secondary micelium of a diploid nature.
  • The diploid secondary mycelium: This mycelium is essential for ecosystems, as it helps to degrade organic matter of waste. Once mature, you can give way to the formation of the fruitful body.

Spherical cells

These cells make up the yeaduriform fungi. Are unicellular organismsso these cells are their only structure. They are oval and spherical, with a size that goes from 6 to 30 microns. They can join for form macroscopic coloniesof creamy consistency similar to the bacterial colonies. They do not form specialized fabrics or groups as the fungi do the previous group.

In this post of ecology, you can read more about the classification of fungi.

If you want to read more articles similar to Fungi structurewe recommend that you enter our biology category.

Literature
  • Beatty, R., Beer, A. and Deeming, C. (2010). THE BOOK OF NATURE. Great Britain: Dorling Kindersley
  • Faculty of Chemistry UNAM (SF) Fungi (Fungi). Available at: http://depa.fquim.unam.mx/microbio/1410mg-06/t-presentaciones/tema07/t-07-hongos-211.pdf
Kyle Muller
About the author
Dr. Kyle Muller
Dr. Kyle Mueller is a Research Analyst at the Harris County Juvenile Probation Department in Houston, Texas. He earned his Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Texas State University in 2019, where his dissertation was supervised by Dr. Scott Bowman. Dr. Mueller's research focuses on juvenile justice policies and evidence-based interventions aimed at reducing recidivism among youth offenders. His work has been instrumental in shaping data-driven strategies within the juvenile justice system, emphasizing rehabilitation and community engagement.
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