Biology 11 - Mushroom Reproduction Lab
Purpose: To develop an understanding of the spore producing members of kingdom fungi.
Members of the Kingdom Fungi are a diverse group of over 65 000 different species. Molds, mildews, mushrooms, rusts, smuts and yeasts are all fungi. Most fungi are microscopic although there are some that are visible to the unaided eye. These include bracket fungi, mushrooms, morels and puffballs.
Fungi are either parasitic or saprobic. The saprophytic fungi play a major role in the decomposition of dead organic matter. They recycle much of the organic matter into the environment in the form of nitrogen, phosphorous, and carbon. Dutch elm disease and ringworm are examples of parasites. Rusts and smuts also fall into the parasitic category.
The main vegetative body of the fungi is the hyphae. The cells of the hyphae may be separated by perforated cell walls. The cell walls of the hyphae are composed of chitin rather than cellulose that is found in most plants. Fungi also store food as glycogen whereas most plants store their food as starch.
The true fungi reproduce asexually by spores and sexually by conjugation. Most fungi alternate their form of reproduction between sexual and asexual. This guarantees a strong genetic base and allows the mixing of genetic material.
Procedure:
1. Obtain a microscope slide of the mushroom Coprinus. Observe your slide under low power and then under high power. Make a diagram of the gill showing the hyphae, the basidium and the basidiospores.
2. Focus on the basidia. How many spores are attached to each?
3. Are these spores produced by sexual or asexual reproduction? To answer this question read about the life cycle of fungi on page 366 of your text Biology 11.
4. Obtain a prepared slide of bread mold (Rhizopus) conjugation and view it, with the compound microscope. Draw a diagram and label the gametes (gametangia), zygospore and hyphae. Use the web site at http://www.backyardnature.net/f/funclass.htm to help locate these structures.
5. Is the zygospore a result of sexual or asexual reproduction? Refer to your notes and the web site in number 4.
6. What will eventually grow from the zygospore?
7. What is a mold inhibitor and why would it be found in bread. Search for your answer using the internet.
Read the following excerpt from a local newspaper and answer the following questions:
8. What are the three types of mycoses found in humans?
9. Identify three examples of superficial infections.