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    18 Microbes and Fungi

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    Ana Margol
    Bacteria and archaea are the most metabolically diverse and ecologically impactful organisms. They obtain energy through photosynthesis, respiration of organic molecules, or inorganic compounds. Bacteria play key roles in recycling elements, primary production, and mutualistic relationships like nitrogen fixation. Eukaryotes are larger and more complex, with membrane-bound organelles. Fungi are eukaryotic decomposers that break down organic material extracellularly via a mycelial network, aiding nutrient cycling. Their mycorrhizal relationships also aid plant nutrition.

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    18 Microbes and Fungi

    Uploaded by

    Ana Margol
    33 views21 pages
    Bacteria and archaea are the most metabolically diverse and ecologically impactful organisms. They obtain energy through photosynthesis, respiration of organic molecules, or inorganic compounds. Bacteria play key roles in recycling elements, primary production, and mutualistic relationships like nitrogen fixation. Eukaryotes are larger and more complex, with membrane-bound organelles. Fungi are eukaryotic decomposers that break down organic material extracellularly via a mycelial network, aiding nutrient cycling. Their mycorrhizal relationships also aid plant nutrition.

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    Lecture

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    Bacteria and archaea are the most metabolically diverse and ecologically impactful organisms. They obtain energy through photosynthesis, respiration of organic molecules, or inorganic compounds. Bacteria play key roles in recycling elements, primary production, and mutualistic relationships like nitrogen fixation. Eukaryotes are larger and more complex, with membrane-bound organelles. Fungi are eukaryotic decomposers that break down organic material extracellularly via a mycelial network, aiding nutrient cycling. Their mycorrhizal relationships also aid plant nutrition.

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    33 views21 pages

    18 Microbes and Fungi

    Uploaded by

    Ana Margol
    Bacteria and archaea are the most metabolically diverse and ecologically impactful organisms. They obtain energy through photosynthesis, respiration of organic molecules, or inorganic compounds. Bacteria play key roles in recycling elements, primary production, and mutualistic relationships like nitrogen fixation. Eukaryotes are larger and more complex, with membrane-bound organelles. Fungi are eukaryotic decomposers that break down organic material extracellularly via a mycelial network, aiding nutrient cycling. Their mycorrhizal relationships also aid plant nutrition.

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    Todays Lecture - Bacteria & Archaea: Similarities and differences Metabolic diversity Ecological impact - Fungi: General characteristics

    Structure Feeding Ecological roles

    BACTERIA AND ARCHAEA

    Bacteria Vs. Archaea Phylogeny - 2 major prokaryote branches: Bacteria Archaea

    - First lineage to diverge = bacteria - Archaea and eukaryotes more closely related.

    What Do They Have In Common? * Structurally simple - Virtually all unicellular. - Small. - All prokaryotic: 1. 2. 3. *

    How Do They Differ? * Fundamentally different in molecular structure and genetic machinery. - External cell wall bacteria ! unique polysaccharide peptidoglycan - Plasma membrane archaea ! unique phospholipid (includes isoprene) - DNA archaea ! associated w/histones (like eukaryotes) - DNA/RNA polymerases, ribosomes etc. distinct in bacteria

    Metabolic Diversity * Masters of Metabolism! - Metabolic diversity prokaryotes > all eukaryotes. - Can use almost anything as source of energy and C. - Nearly all metabolic pathways originated in prokaryotes ! evolved variations.

    Sources of Energy And Carbon - 3 sources energy for ATP production. - 2 sources carbon for synthesis of organic molecules. ! 6 general methods for obtaining ATP and carbon Source of Energy sunlight organic inorganic molecules molecules Source of C atoms simple molecules molecules from other organisms

    Where do plants, fungi and animals fit on this table?

    ! Explains ecological range; some extremophiles

    Ecological Impact Of Bacteria 1. Recycling Of Chemical Elements In Ecosystems a) Decomposers - Break down large molecules in corpses and waste. b) Nitrogen Fixation - Converts atmospheric nitrogen (N2) into NH4+ ! form organisms (plants, algae) can use. - Only certain prokaryotes possess enzyme. - Free-living or in root nodules.

    2. Primary Production - Photosynthetic and chemosynthetic bacteria make organic compounds (food) ! support food chains. 3. Mutualistic Relationships Ex. Cellulose breakdown in ruminants 4. Historic Oxygen Revolution - Cyanobacteria put all oxygen in atmosphere ~2.5 billion years ago. - Allowed aerobic respiration.

    EUKARYOTES

    Whos Included In Eukarya? - Largest, most morphologically complex organisms. - Plants, fungi, animals = subgroups within Eukarya.

    The Eukaryotic Cell Essence = large, compartmentalized cell. Membrane-bound nucleus and other organelles. How are all these membranes useful?

    FUNGI

    General Characteristics - Eukaryotic (chitin cell wall) - Mostly large and multicellular - Non-motile * External heterotrophs - Filamentous bodies Habitat - Mostly terrestrial. Anywhere organic material & moisture available.

    Structure - 2 Growth forms: 1. Multicellular filamentous mass = mycelium 2. Single-celled yeasts

    - Note: Mushrooms are specialized reproductive structures.

    - Individual very thin filaments = hyphae - Divided by septa. Incomplete - cytoplasm & organelles flow freely.

    Feeding - Secrete digestive enzymes outside body at tips of hyphae then absorb nutrients. - Mycelium grows toward food. Dies back + release spores when food low. Adaptations 1. high surface area:volume - efficient absorption 2. grows under/in food tissue

    How does high surface area explain habitat of fungi?

    Ecological Roles 1. Decomposition - Saprophytic fungi = major decomposer in biosphere. - Digest almost any organic substance. * Digest wood (lignin + cellulose) completely! - Speed up carbon cycle; C atoms locked in dead trees etc. released for re-use.

    2. Mycorrhizae Mutualistic association between fungus and plant. Fungi grow on or in plants roots. Extremely common (~90% of land plants). Fungus gains carbs; plant gains nutrients (P, N).

    * Without mycorrhizae, host plants grow much more slowly or starve.

    3. Parasitism - Parasitic fungi cause death and disease among plants and animals. Ex. Athletes foot, ringworm, thrush, diaper rash, yeast infections, Dutch elm disease, chestnut blight, crop diseases

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