Fungi, Algae, and Protists

230 Pages·2011·8.5 MB·English

by  Kara Rogers

Published in 2011 by Britannica Educational Publishing
(a trademark of Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.)
in association with Rosen Educational Services, LLC
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First Edition
Britannica Educational Publishing
Michael I. Levy: Executive Editor
J.E. Luebering: Senior Manager
Marilyn L. Barton: Senior Coordinator, Production Control
Steven Bosco: Director, Editorial Technologies
Lisa S. Braucher: Senior Producer and Data Editor
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Kara Rogers: Senior Editor, Biomedical Sciences
Rosen Educational Services
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Cindy Reiman: Photography Manager
Matthew Cauli: Designer, Cover Design
Introduction by Jennifer Capuzzo
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Fungi, algae, and protists / edited by Kara Rogers.—1st ed.
p. cm.—(Biochemistry, cells, and life)
“In association with Britannica Educational Publishing, Rosen Educational Services.”
Includes bibliographical references and index.
ISBN 978-1-61530-463-9 (eBook)
1. Protista. 2. Fungi. 3. Algae. I. Rogers, Kara.
QR74.5.F86 2011
579—dc22
2010017764
On the cover: This image, made with a scanning electron microscope, shows tiny filaments
called hyphae that make up the body of a typical fungus. It was photographed at Ludwig
Maxilmilians University in Munich, Germany. G. Wanner/ScienceFoto/Getty Images
On page x: Some fungi are extremely valuable. This 1.5 kg (3.3 lb) Alba white truffle,
presented by Chef Umberto Bombana at a news conference in Hong Kong in 2006, was
worth 125,000 euros (almost US$160,000). MN Chan/Getty Images
On pages 1, 33, 56, 89, 117, 142, 170, 196, 198, 203: This photo shows a single-celled toxic
alga called Ostreopsis ovatam found near Genoa, Italy. Ostreopsis ovata normally live in tropic
waters but have moved to the Mediterranean because of rising sea temperatures. AFP/
Getty Images
CCOONNTTEENNTTSS
Introduction x 4
Chapter 1: Fungi 1
Importance of Fungi 5
Mycology 7
Form and Function of Fungi 7
Size Range 8
Distribution and Abundance 8
Basic Morphology 10
Structure of the Thallus 10
Sporophores and Spores 14
Growth 16
Nutrition 19
Heinrich Anton de Bary 26
Chapter 2: Life Cycle and Ecology of
Fungi and Lichens 33
Reproductive Processes of Fungi 33
Sir Alexander Fleming 34
Asexual Reproduction 37
Sexual Reproduction 38
Sexual Incompatibility 41
Sexual Pheromones (Hormones) 41
Life Cycle of Fungi 42
Ecology of Fungi 44
Lichens 46
Basic Features of Lichens 47
Form and Function of Lichens 50
Chapter 3: Types of Fungi and
Lichens 56
Taxonomic Features of Fungi 56
Select Groups of Fungi 57
Ascomycota 57
Dutch Elm Disease 64
Basidiomycota 69 65
Chytridiomycota 81
110
Amphibian Chytridiomycosis 81
Microsporidia 83
Late Blight 84
Oomycota 85
Select Lichens 85
Beard Lichen 86
Iceland Moss 86
Oak Moss 87
Parmelia 87
Chapter 4: Protists 89
General Features of Protists 90
Lynn Margulis 92
Form and Function 94
Locomotion 95
Respiration and Nutrition 99
Reproduction and Life Cycles 101
Ecology of Protists 106
Red Tide 108
Evolution and Paleoprotistology 112
113
Chapter 5: Classifi cation and
Types of Protozoans 117
Macrosystems of
Protist Classifi cation 117
Diagnostic Characterization 119
Select Groups of Protists 120
Amoeba 120
Ciliate 122
Euglena 123
Flagellate 125
Foraminiferan 126
Gregarine 127
Heliofl agellate 127
Heliozoan 128
Leishmania 128
149
Myxomycetes 129
Opalinid 130
Paramecium 131
Plasmodium 133
Radiolarian 134
Slime Mold 135
Stentor 136
Trichomonad 137
Trypanosoma 137
Trypanosomiasis 138
Vorticella 140
Zoofl agellate 140
Chapter 6: Algae 142
Physical and Ecological Features
of Algae 145
Size Range and Diversity of
Structure 145
Distribution and Abundance 146
Ecological and Commercial
Importance 147
Toxicity 154
Form and Function of Algae 155
The Algal Cell 156
Flagella 159
Mitosis 161
Cellular Respiration 161
Photosynthesis and
Light-Absorbing Pigments 161
Carotenoid 162
The Effects of Water on Light
Absorption 163
Nutrient Storage 164
Alternative Methods of Nutrient
Absorption 165
Reproduction and Life Histories 166 167
178 Chapter 7: Evolution and Types
of Algae 170
Evolution and Paleontology of Algae 171
Classifi cation Features 175
Select Groups of Algae 177
Green Algae 177
Brown Algae 184
Dinofl agellates 189
Red Algae 191
Conclusion 194
Glossary 196
Bibliography 198
Index 203