Edit page | Page history | Printable version

Definition

‘’noun , singular: fungus‘’

A (taxonomic) group that includes heterotrophic eukaryotes that are usually filamentous, devoid of chlorophyll, with chitinous cell wall, and produces spores.

Supplement

Most species of fungi live as multicellular filaments called hyphae, which form a mycelium while other species live as unicellular.

They reproduce by means of spores. Fungi that reproduce through asexual spores and sexually-produced spores are called perfect fungi whereas fungi that reproduce only by asexual spores are called imperfect fungi (deuteromycetes).

They do not have chlorophyll, hence, they are heterotrophic organisms, absorbing foods into their hyphae.

Examples of fungi are yeasts, rusts, stinkhorns, puffballs, truffles, molds, mildews and mushrooms.

Miscellaneous

Word origin: Latin fungus (“‘mushroom’”). Related terms: fungicidal, fungicide, fungal See also: mycology