Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Distribution And Abundance
Fungi are either terrestrial or aquatic, the latter living in freshwater or marine environments. Freshwater species are usually found in clean, cool water because they do not tolerate high degrees of salinity. However, some species are found in slightly brackish water, and a few thrive in highly polluted streams. Soil that is rich in organic matter furnishes an…
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Size Range
The mushrooms, because of their size, are easily seen in fields and forests and consequently were the only fungi known before the invention of the microscope in the 17th century. The microscope made it possible to recognize and identify the great variety of fungal species living on dead or live organic matter. The part of a fungus…
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Importance Of Fungi
Humans have been indirectly aware of fungi since the first loaf of leavened bread was baked and the first tub of grape must was turned into wine. Ancient peoples were familiar with the ravages of fungi in agriculture but attributed these diseases to the wrath of the gods. The Romans designated a particular deity, Robigus, as the god of rust and, in an…
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Introduction To Fungi
Fungus, plural fungi, any of about 144,000 known species of organisms of the kingdom Fungi, which includes the yeasts, rusts, smuts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms. There are also many funguslike organisms, including slime molds and oomycetes (water molds), that do not belong to kingdom Fungi but are often called fungi. Many of these funguslike organisms are included in the kingdom Chromista. Fungi are among the most…
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Diagnostic Features
The classification of algae into taxonomic groups is based upon the same rules that are used for the classification of land plants, but the organization of groups of algae above the order level has changed substantially since 1960. Early morphological research using electron microscopes demonstrated differences in features, such as the flagellar apparatus, cell division process, and organelle structure…
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Evolution And Paleontology Of Algae
Modern ultrastructural and molecular studies have provided important information that has led to a reassessment of the evolution of algae. In addition, the fossil record for some groups of algae has hindered evolutionary studies, and the realization that some algae are more closely related to protozoa or fungi than they are to other algae came late, producing confusion in evolutionary thought and delays…
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Reproduction And Life Histories
Algae regenerate by sexual reproduction, involving male and female gametes (sex cells), by asexual reproduction, or by both ways. Asexual reproduction is the production of progeny without the union of cells or nuclear material. Many small algae reproduce asexually by ordinary cell division or by fragmentation, whereas larger algae reproduce by spores. Some red algae produce monospores (walled, nonflagellate, spherical cells) that are…
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Alternative Methods Of Nutrient Absorption
Not all algae have chloroplasts and photosynthesize. “Colourless” algae can obtain energy and food by oxidizing organic molecules, which they absorb from the environment or digest from engulfed particles. They are classified as algae, rather than fungi or protozoa, because in most other features they resemble photosynthetic algae. Algae that rely on ingestion and oxidation of organic molecules are referred…
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Nutrient Storage
As in land plants, the major carbohydrate storage product of the green algae is usually starch in the form of amylose or amylopectin. These starches are polysaccharides in which the monomer, or fundamental unit, is glucose. Green algal starch comprises more than 1,000 sugar molecules, joined by alpha linkages between the number 1 and number 4 carbon atoms. The cell walls of many, but not all, algae contain cellulose. Cellulose is formed…
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The Effects Of Water On Light Absorption
Red wavelengths are absorbed in the first few metres of water. Blue wavelengths are more readily absorbed if the water contains average or abundant amounts of organic material. Thus, green wavelengths are often the most common light in deep water. Chlorophylls absorb red and blue wavelengths much more strongly than they absorb green wavelengths, which…
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