Living organisms are united in the kingdom of bacteria. Why are bacteria isolated in a special kingdom of wildlife? Additional Features

All living organisms on our planet are usually divided by official science into several large groups, which include a great many species and subspecies. Why are bacteria classified as a separate kingdom? There are special reasons for this, allowing scientists to apply such a classification. Let's take a look at this issue with you.

Two groups

Why are bacteria classified as a separate kingdom? The answer is quite simple: all living creatures on our planet can be conditionally divided into 2 huge groups: prokaryotes and eukaryotes. The second includes fungi with plants and animals - multicellular organisms.

The former is widely represented by bacteria (also cyanoalgae with microscopic fungi). Representatives of the first group have fundamental differences that make it possible to isolate bacteria as special living beings, separating them from all the others. Why are bacteria isolated in a special kingdom? What is the difference, how did evolution distinguish them from others?

The main difference, or Why are bacteria isolated in a special kingdom?

The main difference that allows such a classification is that the prokaryote does not have a nucleus, circular DNA exists directly in the cytoplasm (this segment is called the nucleoid). In eukaryotes, on the contrary, the nuclei are clearly defined, and hereditary data are separated from the cytoplasms by their membranes. Thus, we see that bacteria are quite different from other living creatures that live on Earth in their internal structure.

In addition, the vast majority of representatives of the other three kingdoms - animals with plants and fungi - are multicellular creatures. Almost all bacteria are unicellular.

Additional Features

There are additional reasons to understand why bacteria are isolated in a separate kingdom.

Since prokaryotes do not have nuclei, there is no such thing as mitosis. They reproduce by simply dividing cells in half.
Eukaryotes have large ribosomes, organelles: mitochondria and cell centers and the endoplasmic reticulum. And in bacteria, the role is played by mesosomes - outgrowths on the plasma membrane, and ribosomes - small non-membrane organelles.
A prokaryotic cell is much smaller than that of eukaryotes (about 10 times in diameter, about a thousand in volume).

Similarities of both groups

However, representatives of all groups have similarities in their structure. The cells of any living organism contain: firstly, the plasma membrane, secondly, the cytoplasm, and thirdly, ribosomes. This rule applies to all representatives of the kingdoms present in nature.

Manifold

Thus, we have established why bacteria are isolated in a special kingdom of living organisms. And this kingdom is truly huge and includes a wide variety of species, combining archaebacteria and eubacteria, microscopic fungi and blue-green algae. By today's science, bacteria are understood to be the smallest organisms-prokaryotes, which are characterized by a cellular structure (sizes - 0.1-30 microns).

It is physically impossible to see these creatures visually, without the help of special optical devices. It is no coincidence that before the invention of the microscope device and even for some time after, some luminaries of science (for example, the famous Carl Linnaeus belonged to them) denied the existence of these very important organisms in nature, attributing them to a game of the imagination. To date, scientists have studied only about two and a half thousand varieties of this kingdom. But much remains to be discovered - after all, not all species are known yet. And the study of various bacteria is engaged in a special branch of science - microbiology. She explores the most numerous inhabitants of our planet, which are invisible to the naked eye.

real bacteria. Archaebacteria. oxyphotobacteria

OPTION 1

For each question, choose one correct answer from the four given.

A1. All bacteria that inhabit the planet Earth are united in the kingdom

1) Prokaryotes

3) Plants

4) Animals

A2. They do not have a formalized core

2) plants

3) bacteria

4) animals

AZ. The bacterial flagellum is an organelle for

1) movement

2) protein storage

3) breeding

4) transferring adverse conditions

A4. Bacterial spores serve to

1) supply

2) breathing

3) breeding

4) transferring adverse conditions

A5. Organisms that feed on ready-made organic substances are called

2) autotrophs

3) anaerobes

4) heterotrophs

A6. Organisms that take in oxygen during respiration are called

1) aerobes

2) anaerobes

3) autotrophs

4) heterotrophs

A7. Turn the remains of dead bodies of organisms into inorganic substances bacteria

1) destroyers

2) symbionts

3) nodule

4) pathogenic

A8*. The mode of nutrition of most cyanobacteria is

1) photosynthesis

2) fermentation

4) rotting

A9*. Methane-producing bacteria live in

1) swamps

2) salt lakes

3) plant roots

4) spring water

B1.

A. Chemosynthesis - the process of formation of organic substances due to the energy of inorganic compounds.

B. Kefir is produced using fermentation bacteria.

1) Only A is true

2) Only B is true

3) Both statements are correct

4) Both judgments are wrong

B2. Choose three true statements. The bacterial cell contains

1) Decorated core

2) Chloroplast

3) Cytoplasm

4) Outer membrane

5) Mitochondria

6) Flagellum

B3. Establish a correspondence between the nutritional characteristics and the ecological group of bacteria.

POWER FEATURE

A. They feed on the juices of living organisms, harming them

B. They themselves form organic substances due to the energy of sunlight

B. Carry out the transformation of organic substances of dead bodies into inorganic compounds

ECOLOGICAL GROUP OF BACTERIA

1) Destroyers

3) Autotrophs

IN 1.

Organisms that themselves produce organic substances are classified as ... (A), and organisms that absorb ready-made organic substances are ... (B). Of these, plant organisms in which sunlight is the primary source of energy are called ... (B).

Glossary: 1. Phototrophs, 2. Autotrophs, 3. Heterotrophs

Answer: A-2, B-3, C-1

OPTION 2

A1. The most ancient inhabitants of our planet -

2) Plants

3) Bacteria

4) Animals

A2. The hereditary material of the cell is not separated from the cytoplasm in

2) Plants

3) Bacteria

4) Animals

AZ. Separates the bacterial cell from the environment

1) cytoplasm

3) nuclear envelope

4) outer membrane

A4. Bacterial cells multiply

1) disputes

2) flagella

3) sections of the cytoplasm

4) cell division

A5. Organisms that are able to synthesize organic substances from inorganic compounds are called

2) anaerobes

3) autotrophs

4) heterotrophs

A6. Organisms that live in an oxygen-free environment are called

2) anaerobes

3) autotrophs

4) heterotrophs

A7. Bacteria that interact with other organisms for mutual benefit are called

1) destroyers

2) symbionts

3) pathogenic

A8*. The mutually beneficial relationship between cyanobacteria and fungi is called

1) symbiosis

3) predation

4) competition

A9*. Halobacteria live in

1) swamps

2) salt lakes

3) plant roots

4) fresh water

B1. Are the following statements true?

A. Photosynthesis - the process of formation of organic substances due to the energy of sunlight.

B. Pathogenic bacteria affect only the human body and are not found in the body of plants and animals.

1) Only A is true

3) Only B is true

4) Both judgments are correct

5) Both judgments are wrong

B2. Choose three true statements.

Bacteria carry out life processes

1) cell division in half

2) propagation by seeds

3) breathing

4) tissue formation

5) food

6) organ formation

BZ. Establish a correspondence between the peculiarities of nutrition of bacteria and the way of nutrition.

FEATURES OF NUTRITION OF BACTERIA

A. Live in the bodies of other organisms and benefit them

B. Eat other bacteria

B. They themselves form organic substances due to the energy of inorganic compounds

FOOD METHOD

1) Autotrophic

2) Symbiosis

3) Predation

Write down the corresponding numbers in the table.

IN 1. Read the text. Fill in the gaps with the numbers that represent the words from the dictionary.

The content of the bacterial cell limits ... (A). There is no ... (B) in a prokaryotic cell. Bacteria that absorb oxygen during respiration are called ... (C), and those that use other substances for oxidation are ... (D).

Glossary: 1. Anaerobes. 2. Plasma membrane. 3. Aerobes. 4. Nuclear envelope.

Answer: A-2, B-4, C-3, D-1

Biology test Kingdom of Prokaryotes for 7th grade students with answers. The test includes 2 options, each option consists of 3 parts (part A, part B, part C). In part A - 9 tasks, in part B - 3 tasks, in part C - 1 task.

1 option

A1. All bacteria that inhabit the planet Earth are united in the kingdom

1) Prokaryotes
2) Mushrooms
3) Plants
4) Animals

A2. Decorated core not have

1) mushrooms
2) plants
3) bacteria
4) animals

A3. The bacterial flagellum is an organelle for

1) movement
2) protein storage
3) breeding

A4. Bacterial spores serve to

1) supply
2) breathing
3) breeding
4) transferring adverse conditions

A5. Organisms that feed on ready-made organic substances are called

1) aerobes
2) anaerobes
3) autotrophs
4) heterotrophs

A6. Organisms that take in oxygen during respiration are called

1) aerobes
2) anaerobes
3) autotrophs
4) heterotrophs

A7. Turn the remains of dead bodies of organisms into inorganic substances bacteria

1) destroyers
2) symbionts
3) nodule
4) pathogenic

A8. The mode of nutrition of most cyanobacteria is

A9. Methane-producing bacteria live in

1) swamps
2) salt lakes
3) plant roots
4) spring water

B1.

A. Chemosynthesis - the process of formation of organic substances due to the energy of inorganic compounds.
B. Kefir is produced using fermentation bacteria.

1) Only A is true
2) Only B is true
3) Both statements are correct
4) Both judgments are wrong

B2.

The bacterial cell contains

1) decorated core
2) chloroplast
3) cytoplasm
4) outer membrane
5) mitochondrion
6) flagellum

B3. Establish a correspondence between the nutritional characteristics and the ecological group of bacteria.

Power feature

A. They feed on the juices of living organisms, harming them
B. They themselves form organic substances due to the energy of sunlight
B. Carry out the transformation of organic substances of dead bodies into inorganic compounds

Ecological group of bacteria

B1.

1. Phototrophs.
2. Autotrophs.
3. Heterotrophs.

Option 2

A1. The most ancient inhabitants of our planet -

1) mushrooms
2) plants
3) bacteria
4) animals

A2. The hereditary material of the cell not separated from the cytoplasm

1) mushrooms
2) plants
3) bacteria
4) animals

A3. Separates the bacterial cell from the environment

1) cytoplasm
2) flagellum
3) nuclear envelope
4) outer membrane

A4. Bacterial cells multiply

1) disputes
2) flagella
3) sections of the cytoplasm
4) cell division

A5. Organisms that are able to synthesize organic substances from inorganic compounds are called

1) aerobes
2) anaerobes
3) autotrophs
4) heterotrophs

A6. Organisms that live in an oxygen-free environment are called

1) aerobes
2) anaerobes
3) autotrophs
4) heterotrophs

A7. Bacteria that interact with other organisms for mutual benefit are called

1) destroyers
2) symbionts
3) pathogenic
4) predatory

A8. The mutually beneficial relationship between cyanobacteria and fungi is called

A9. Halobacteria live in

1) swamps
2) salt lakes
3) plant roots
4) fresh water

B1. Are the following statements true?

A. Photosynthesis is the process of formation of organic substances due to the energy of sunlight.
B. Pathogenic bacteria affect only the human body and are not found in the body of plants and animals.

1) Only A is true
3) Only B is true
4) Both judgments are correct
5) Both judgments are wrong

B2. Choose three true statements.

Bacteria carry out life processes

1) cell division in half
2) propagation by seeds
3) breathing
4) tissue formation
5) nutrition
6) organ formation

B3. Establish a correspondence between the peculiarities of nutrition of bacteria and the way of nutrition.

Nutritional characteristics of bacteria

A. Live in the bodies of other organisms and benefit them
B. Eat other bacteria
B. They themselves form organic substances due to the energy of inorganic compounds

Feeding method

1. Autotrophic
2. Symbiosis
3. Predation

IN 1. Read the text. Fill in the gaps with the numbers that represent the words below.

1. Anaerobes.
2. Plasma membrane.
3. Aerobes.
4. Nuclear envelope.

Answers to the biology test Kingdom of Prokaryotes
1 option
A1-1
A2-3
A3-1
A4-4
A5-4
A6-1
A7-1
A8-1
A9-1
B1-3
B2-346
B3-231
B1-231
Option 2
A1-3
A2-3
A3-4
A4-4
A5-3
A6-2
A7-2
A8-1
A9-2
B1-1
B2-134
B3-231
B1-2431

Current page: 2 (total book has 6 pages) [available reading excerpt: 2 pages]

Font:

100% +

Part 1. The Kingdom of Bacteria

Subkingdom True bacteria

Sub-kingdom of Archaebacteria

Subkingdom Oxyphotobacteria

To the kingdom bacteria (from the Greek "bacterion" - stick) unite the most ancient inhabitants of our planet, which in everyday life are often called microbes. These organisms have a cellular structure, but their hereditary material is not separated from the cytoplasm by a membrane - in other words, they lack a formed nucleus. In size, most of them are much larger than viruses. The kingdom of bacteria on the basis of important features of life, and above all metabolism, scientists divide into three sub-kingdoms: Archaebacteria, True bacteria and Oxyphotobacteria.

Science deals with the study of the structure and characteristics of the vital activity of microorganisms. microbiology.

Subkingdom True bacteria

Consider the structural features of bacteria on the example of representatives of the subkingdom Real bacteria.

These are very ancient organisms that appeared, apparently, more than 3 billion years ago. Bacteria are microscopically small, but their clusters (colonies) are often visible to the naked eye. According to the form and features of the association of cells into groups, several categories of real bacteria are distinguished. cocci have a spherical shape; diplococci consist of pairwise contiguous spherical cells; streptococci formed by cocci brought together in the form of a chain; Sarcinas - clusters of cocci that look like dense packs; staphylococci - a complex of cocci in the form of a bunch of grapes. bacillus, or sticks, - elongated bacteria; vibrios - arcuate curved bacteria, and spirilla - bacteria with an elongated, corkscrew-shaped crimped shape, etc.

On the surface of bacterial cells there are often flagella - organelles of movement, with the help of which they move in a liquid medium. In their organization, they differ from the flagella and cilia of plants and animals. Some bacteria move in a "reactive" way, throwing out a portion of mucus into the environment. The cell wall of bacteria is built in a very peculiar way and includes compounds that are not found in plants, fungi and animals. Usually it is strong enough, its basis is the substance murein, which is a mixture of polysaccharides and proteins. The cell wall of many bacteria is covered with a layer of mucus on top. The cytoplasm is surrounded by a membrane separating it from the inside from the cell wall.

bacteria shape

Location of flagella in bacteria

There are few membranes in the cytoplasm of bacteria, and they are not independent structures, but invaginations of the outer cytoplasmic membrane. There are no organelles surrounded by a membrane (mitochondria and plastids). Protein synthesis is carried out by ribosomes, which are smaller than those of eukaryotes. All enzymes that provide vital processes are scattered in the cytoplasm or attached to the inner surface of the cytoplasmic membrane.

Bacteria usually reproduce by dividing in two. At first, the cell elongates, the ring chromosome is doubled in it, a transverse constriction is gradually formed, and then the daughter cells diverge or remain connected into characteristic groups - chains, packages, etc.

Under adverse conditions, such as when the temperature rises or desiccation, many bacteria form disputes. In this case, the part of the cytoplasm containing the hereditary material is isolated and covered with a thick multilayer capsule. The cell, as it were, dries up - the metabolic processes in it stop. Bacterial spores are very resistant; they can remain viable in a dry state for many years, and also survive in the body of a sick person, despite active antibiotic treatment. Bacterial spores are spread by wind and other ways. Once in favorable conditions, the spore is converted into an active bacterial cell.

Spore formation scheme

Reproduction of a bacterial cell by fission in two

autotrophic bacteria (from the Greek "auto" - myself and "trophos" - I feed), which independently synthesize organic substances from inorganic ones, a little. Some of them are capable of chemosynthesis- the synthesis of organic substances that form their body from inorganic ones using the energy of oxidation of inorganic compounds. Others form organic molecules from inorganic ones in the process photosynthesis, using the energy of sunlight.

In relation to oxygen, bacteria are divided into aerobes (existing only in an oxygen environment) and anaerobes (existing in an oxygen-free environment). In addition, groups of bacteria are known that live both in oxygen and anoxic environments.

Pathogenic bacteria

In nature, bacteria are extremely widespread. They inhabit the soil by playing role destroyers organic matter - the remains of dead animals and plants. Transforming organic molecules into inorganic ones, bacteria thereby cleanse the surface of the planet from decaying residues and return chemical elements to the biological cycle.

The role of bacteria in human life is enormous. Thus, the production of many food and technical products is impossible without the participation of various fermentation bacteria. As a result of the vital activity of bacteria, curdled milk, kefir, cheese, koumiss, as well as enzymes, alcohols, and citric acid are obtained. The processes of fermentation of food products are also associated with bacterial activity.

Bacteria are found symbionts (from the Latin "sim" - together, "bios" - life), which live in the organisms of plants and animals, bringing them certain benefits. For example, nodule bacteria, that settle in the roots of some plants are able to absorb gaseous nitrogen from the soil air, convert it into soluble compounds, and thus supply these plants with the nitrogen necessary for their vital activity. When dying, plants enrich the soil with nitrogen compounds, which would be impossible without the participation of such bacteria.

known predatory bacteria that feed on other prokaryotes.

The negative role of bacteria is also great. Various types of bacteria cause spoilage of food products, releasing in them the products of their metabolism, which are poisonous to humans. The most dangerous pathogenic (from the Greek “pathos” - disease and “genesis” - origin) bacteria are the source of various human and animal diseases, such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, tonsillitis, anthrax, salmonellosis, plague, cholera, etc. Bacteria and plants are affected.

Symbiont bacteria form nodules on plant roots

The result of the activity of bacteria - destroyers of wood

Subkingdom of Archaebacteria*

archaebacteria (from the Greek "archios" - the oldest), perhaps the oldest of living prokaryotes, and therefore of all other living organisms; they appeared on our planet more than 3.8 billion years ago.

A little more than 40 species of archaebacteria have been described in total. Some of them are able to live in extreme conditions.

Among the archaebacteria, the most famous methane bacteria, which, as a result of metabolism, emit combustible methane gas. A significant part of the methane on Earth (10–15×10 6 tons annually) is formed only by this group of prokaryotes. Methane-forming archaebacteria live in strictly anaerobic conditions: in flooded soils, swamps, silt in reservoirs, sewage treatment plants, rumen of ruminants.

Another group of archaebacteria, the so-called halobacteria organisms capable of growing at very high salt concentrations. They live in salt lakes.

Among the archaebacteria there are those that oxidize sulfur and its inorganic compounds with the formation of sulfuric acid and therefore can be the cause of the destruction of stone and concrete structures, corrosion of metals, etc.

halobacteria

Halobacteria live in the salty deposits of the Dead Sea

Sulfur bacteria

Methane-producing archaebacteria live in swamps

Subkingdom of Oxyphotobacteria*

The subkingdom includes several groups of bacteria, in particular the division cyanobacteria, often called blue-green algae. They are very widespread throughout the world. About 2 thousand species of cyanobacteria are known. These are ancient organisms that arose about 3 billion years ago. It is assumed that changes in the composition of the Earth's ancient atmosphere and its enrichment with oxygen are associated with the photosynthetic activity of cyanobacteria.

Cells of cyanobacteria, round, elliptical, cylindrical, barrel-shaped or otherwise, can remain single, unite in colonies, form multicellular filaments. Often they secrete mucus in the form of a thick sheath, surrounded in some forms by a dense shell. In some species, the threads branch and in places form multi-row thalli. Filamentous forms of cyanobacteria, in addition to ordinary cells, have those that are able to assimilate nitrogen from atmospheric air, converting it into various soluble inorganic substances. These cells supply nitrogen compounds to the other cells of the filament. Cyanobacteria, unlike true bacteria, never have flagella. Cyanobacteria usually reproduce by dividing the cell in two, they do not have a sexual process.

Different forms of cyanobacteria

Cyanobacteria and archaebacteria in a hot spring

Cyanobacteria often cause water blooms in ponds

Cyanobacteria form green spots on rocks

Most cyanobacteria are autotrophic organisms and can synthesize all substances of the cell due to the energy of light. However, they are also capable of a mixed type of nutrition.

Often cyanobacteria enter into symbiosis with other organisms. And in symbiosis with fungi form organisms such as lichens.

Most species inhabit freshwater basins, a few live in the seas. With mass reproduction, cyanobacteria often cause the water to “bloom” in ponds, which negatively affects the life of the inhabitants of the reservoir, since many cyanobacteria emit toxic substances in the process of life. In addition, due to the mass death of cyanobacteria, the water begins to rot, an unpleasant odor appears. It is impossible to drink water from such reservoirs. On land, cyanobacteria live in the soil, forming characteristic green coatings on rocks and tree bark.

Species of the genus Anabena are artificially bred in the tropics in rice fields to enrich the soil with nitrogen compounds. Due to the nitrogen-fixing properties of this bacterium, which lives in the leaf cavities of the Azolla aquatic fern, rice can grow in the same place for a long time without fertilization. Some cyanobacteria in the countries of the East are used for food.

Micrographs of various cyanobacteria

Questions and tasks

1. What are the structural features of a bacterial cell? What chemicals form the body of bacteria?

2. Name the main forms of bacterial cells.

3. How do bacteria move?

4. Using the textbook material, make a table and enter into it groups of bacteria and ways they get energy.

5. Are there predators among bacteria?

6. What systematic group do archaebacteria form?

7. What organisms are called aerobes? Why? How are they different from anaerobes?

8. List the features of the structure of cyanobacteria cells.

9. How do bacteria multiply?

10. Why do you think bacteria are considered the most ancient organisms?

11. Discuss in class how you can prevent blooming waterways.

12. Make a detailed outline of the paragraph.

Work with computer

Refer to the electronic application. Study the material and complete the proposed tasks.

1. http://artsiz.ucoz.ua/publ/shkolnikam_na_zametku/prokarioty/2-1-0-1 (General characteristics of prokaryotes)

2. http://www.worldofnature.ru/dia/?act=viewcat&cid=578 (Prokaryotes: information and illustrations)

Part 2. Kingdom Mushrooms

Department of Chytridiomycota

Department of Zygomycote

Department of Basidiomycota

Group Imperfect Mushrooms

Department of Oomikota

Group Lichens

Modern biologists classify mushrooms as an independent kingdom of organisms that differ significantly from plants and animals.

Science is studying the kingdom of fungi, which includes at least 100 thousand species mycology (from the Greek "mikos" - mushroom, "logos" - teaching).

Scientists believe that fungi are a composite group of organisms with different origins. It is possible that fungi were one of the first eukaryotes, but their early history is practically unknown. The vast majority of modern fungi live on land. However, the oldest fungi were obviously freshwater or marine organisms.

Mushrooms are deprived of the pigment that provides photosynthesis - chlorophyll and are heterotrophs. Some properties of mushrooms bring them closer to animals: as a reserve nutrient, they accumulate in cells glycogen, not starch like plants; the cell wall contains chitin, similar to arthropod chitin; as a product of nitrogen metabolism form urea. On the other hand, in the way they feed (by sucking, not swallowing food), in unlimited growth and immobility, they resemble plants.

A distinctive feature of fungi is the structure of their vegetative body. This is mycelium, or mycelium, consisting of thin branching filamentous tubules - hyphae.

cap mushrooms

Mushrooms are diverse in structure and widely distributed in various habitats. Their sizes vary widely: from microscopically small (single-celled forms - yeast) to large specimens, the body of which reaches half a meter or more in diameter (for example, large spherical raincoats, as well as edible mushrooms - white, boletus, etc.).

Mycelium, or mycelium, has a huge surface area through which it absorbs nutrients. The part of the mycelium located in the soil is called soil fungus. The outer part - what we usually call a fungus - also consists of hyphae, but very tightly intertwined. This is - fruiting body mushroom. The organs of reproduction are formed on it.

In most fungi, the mycelium is divided by partitions into individual cells. In the partitions there are pores through which the cytoplasm of neighboring cells communicates. Combining into bundles, hyphae form large strands, sometimes reaching a length of several meters. Such strands perform, in particular, a conductive function. In some cases, dense interweaving of hyphae form thickenings, rich in reserve nutrients, ensure the survival of the fungus in adverse conditions, when the main part of the mycelium dies. From them, under conditions suitable for existence, mycelium develops again.

The structure of the fungus

The fungal cell, as a rule, has a well-defined cell wall. A significant number of ribosomes and mitochondria are located in the cytoplasm, the Golgi apparatus is poorly developed. In vacuoles, granules of proteins can often be found. A large number of inclusions are represented by glycogen granules and fat droplets. The hereditary, or genetic, apparatus of the cell is concentrated in the nuclei, the number of which varies from one to several dozen.

Some unicellular fungi, such as yeast, have a body formed by a single budding cell. If the budding daughter cells do not diverge from each other, a mycelium is formed, consisting of several cells.

Fungi reproduce primarily asexually. disputes or vegetatively - parts of the mycelium. Spores develop on specialized hyphae - sporangiophores, rising above the soil or other substrates. There is also sexual reproduction.

A cloud of spores formed by fungi

Hyphae of fungi in the soil

Diagram of the structure of a fungal cell

A close relationship is established between the roots of trees and the mycelium of some fungi, which is useful for both the fungus and the plant - a symbiosis occurs. The threads of the mycelium braid the root and even penetrate inside it, forming mycorrhiza (from the Greek "mikos" - mushroom and "riza" - root). The mushroom picker absorbs water and dissolved minerals from the soil, which come from it into the roots of trees. Thus, the mycelium can partially replace the root hairs of trees. From the roots of the plant, the mycelium, in turn, receives the organic substances it needs for nutrition and the formation of fruiting bodies.

Mushrooms play both a positive and a negative role in human economic activity. Yeast is of great importance in the food industry, causing the fermentation process. Many fungi form biologically active substances, enzymes, organic acids. They are used in the microbiological industry for the production of citric and other organic acids, as well as enzymes and vitamins. A number of species, such as ergot, chaga, are used as raw materials for the production of medicines.

Mushrooms are traditionally eaten. Over 150 species of edible mushrooms are found on the territory of our country, but only a few dozen are widely used.

Mushrooms are known to cause human diseases, for example, mycosis of the feet and hands, nails. Some fungi cause disease in domestic animals, harming livestock. An example of such a fungal disease is ringworm. Many fungi cause plant diseases - tinder fungi on trees, ergot of cereals, etc.

Sexual reproduction of basidiomycete fungi

Pathogens - chytridiomycota fungi

Sporangia with spores

In the kingdom of fungi, mycologists include several departments: Hitridiomykota, Zygomykota, Oomikota, Askomikota and Basidiomycota. The largest of them are Ascomicota and Basidiomycota.

A separate group is formed imperfect mushrooms, which reproduce only asexually or vegetatively and never form fruiting bodies.

Division of Chytridiomycota*

Department of Zygomycote

Sawball on manure

Mukor on bread

Mortyrella

Department of Ascomicota, or Marsupials

Askomikota is one of the most extensive divisions (about 30 thousand species). They got their name due to the formation of closed structures - bags (asok) containing spores. The Ascomicot department includes, in particular, yeast, represented by single budding cells, numerous multicellular fungi with large fruiting bodies, for example morels and lines.

Representatives of ascomicot are widespread in all natural zones and regions. According to the way of feeding, these are heterotrophs, they live in the soil, forest litter, on various plant substrates and feed on rotting residues. Some species of ascomycot develop on substrates of animal origin, while others are involved in the decomposition of plant residues containing cellulose into inorganic molecules.

Many species of ascomycot form substances used in medicine for the treatment of infectious diseases (antibiotics), enzymes, organic acids and are used for their industrial production.

A group widely used by man from the department of Ascomicota is yeast. It is important to note that among the yeast there are no species that form substances that are toxic to humans. Food spoilage caused by yeast changes the taste and appearance, but does not accumulate harmful active substances, as is noted in poisonous fungi and bacteria. Baker's yeast exists only in culture. They are represented by hundreds of races: wine, bakery, beer and alcohol.

Bag (aska) with spores

Ergot cells contain highly toxic (poisonous) substances that can cause poisoning if they enter flour or animal feed. Ergot substances are widely used in modern medicine for the treatment of cardiovascular, nervous and other diseases. They are especially effective in obstetric and gynecological practice.

Some representatives of ascomicot, such as morels and truffles, edible.

Ergot

Attention! This is an introductory section of the book.

If you liked the beginning of the book, then the full version can be purchased from our partner - the distributor of legal content LLC "LitRes".