CORNELL FORMAT
| Questions (Cue Column) | Notes (Main Column) |
|---|---|
| What is the body plan of fungi? | Mycelium — network of hyphae (thread-like filaments) |
| What are two types of hyphae? | Septate (with cross-walls) vs Coenocytic/aseptate (no cross-walls, multinucleate) |
| Which fungal class has coenocytic mycelium? | Phycomycetes ONLY |
| What spores do Phycomycetes form? | Zygospores (sexual), Sporangiospores (asexual) |
| Examples of Phycomycetes? | Mucor, Rhizopus (bread mould), Albugo (white rust) |
| What are Ascomycetes also called? | Sac fungi — form ascospores inside sac-like asci |
| Asexual spores in Ascomycetes? | Conidia |
| Examples of Ascomycetes? | Saccharomyces (yeast), Aspergillus, Neurospora, Claviceps purpurea (ergot), Morels, Truffles |
| What are Basidiomycetes? | Club fungi — form basidiospores on club-shaped basidia |
| Examples of Basidiomycetes? | Agaricus (mushroom), Ustilago (smut), Puccinia (rust) |
| What are Deuteromycetes? | Imperfect fungi — no known sexual reproduction stage |
| Examples of Deuteromycetes? | Alternaria, Colletotrichum, Trichoderma |
| What is the sexual spore of Basidiomycetes? | Basidiospore (on basidia) |
| Energy storage in fungi? | Glycogen (NOT starch — a NEET trap) |
| Cell wall composition of fungi? | Chitin (N-acetylglucosamine polymer) |
| Nutrition mode of fungi? | Heterotrophic: saprophytic (decomposers), parasitic, or symbiotic (mycorrhizae, lichens) |
| Which fungi forms mycorrhizal associations? | Various Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes with plant roots |
SUMMARY: Fungi are chitin-walled, glycogen-storing, heterotrophic eukaryotes. Phycomycetes are the most primitive (coenocytic mycelium, zygospores). Ascomycetes are most diverse (sac fungi, Saccharomyces to Morels). Basidiomycetes include edible mushrooms and important plant pathogens (smut, rust). Deuteromycetes have only asexual (conidia) reproduction known — hence "imperfect." NEET frequently tests spore types and specific examples for each class.