Question:

Give a comparative account of the classes of Kingdom Fungi under the following:
  1. mode of nutrition
  2. mode of reproduction

Updated On: Nov 30, 2023
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Solution and Explanation

(A) Phycomycetes- This group of fungi includes members such as Rhizopus, Albugo, etc.

(i) Mode of nutrition: They are obligate parasites on plants or are found on decaying matter such as wood.
(ii) Mode of reproduction: Asexual reproduction takes place through motile zoospores or non-motile aplanospores that are produced endogenously in sporangium. 
Sexual reproduction may be of isogamous, anisogamous, or oogamous type. It results in the formation of thick-walled zygospore.

(B) Ascomycetes- This group of fungi includes members such as Penicillium, Aspergillus,Claviceps, and Neurospora.

(i) Mode of nutrition: They are sporophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous (growing on dung).
(ii) Mode of reproduction: Asexual reproduction occurs through asexual spores produced exogenously, such as conidia produced on conidiophores.
Sexual reproduction takes place through ascospores produced endogenously in sac-like asci and arranged inside ascocarps.

(C) Basidiomycetes- This group of fungi includes members such as Ustilago,Agaricus and Puccinia.

(i) Mode of nutrition: They grow as decomposers in soil or on logs and tree stumps. They also occur as parasites in plants causing diseases such as rusts and smuts.
(ii) Mode of reproduction: Asexual reproduction takes place commonly through fragmentation. Asexual spores are absent.
Sex organs are absent but sexual reproduction takes place through plasmogamy. It involves fusion of two different strains of hyphae. The resulting dikaryon gives rise to a basidium. Four basidiospores are produced inside a basidium.

(D) Deuteromycetes- This group of fungi includes members such as Alternaria, Trichoderma, and Colletotrichum.

(i) Mode of nutrition: Some members are saprophytes while others are parasites. However, a large number act as decomposers of leaf litter.
(ii) Mode of reproduction: Asexual reproduction is the only way of reproduction in deuteromycetes. It occurs through asexual spores called conidia.
Sexual reproduction is absent in deuteromycetes.

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Concepts Used:

Kingdom Fungi - Edible Fungus

Fungi (singular: fungus or funguses) are eukaryotic organisms classified under the kingdom Fungi. These organisms can be single-celled or multicellular. They include organisms, particularly yeasts, mushrooms, and molds. The eukaryotic microorganisms possess a cell wall made of chitin and polysaccharides. With that, they can be found anywhere and are classified as heterotrophs. 

The nucleus they keep is surrounded by a nucleus membrane and is dense, clear, and also contains chromatin threads. The existence of fungi can be seen as black spots found on bread, mushrooms, and yeast cells. These microorganisms are also responsible for fungal and skin diseases. 

  • Based on the mode of nutrition, fungi can be classified as Saprophytic, Parasitic, and Symbiotic. 
  • Based on spore formation, fungi can be classified as Zygomycetes, Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, and Deuteromycetes.

Read More: Biological Classification

Following are the important features of fungi:

  • Fungi are multicellular organisms that have a cell wall, organelles, and a nucleus but no chloroplasts.
  • They lack locomotion mechanisms. Fungi can range in size from microscopic to massive ( such as mushrooms).
  • The process of obtaining nutrients is known as absorption.
  • Fungi, for the most part, get their nutrients from decaying matter.