ZYGOMYCETES

Regalado, Leyretana, Villafuerte, Brillantes, Tagum, Bajamundi

WHAT IS A ZYGOMYCETE?Zygomycetes are fungi that belong to the Phylum Zygomycota.They are distinguished by their sexual reproduction involving zygospores in gametangial fusion and asexual reproduction involving sporangia.There are over 1000 discovered species of Zygomycota.Zygomycetes lack hyphal cell walls except in isolated reproductive structures.Zygomycetes are also called common molds because of their habit of growing on bread and other food.

STRUCTURE OF A ZYGOMYCETERhizoids

Rhizoids are root-like hyphae of a zygomycete that latches onto surfaces which they feed on.It also releases digestive enzymes for it to absorb organic material.

StolonThe stolon of a zygomycete is a horizontal, stem-like hypha that extends along the surface and connects rhizoids and sporangiophores altogether.

SporangiophoreSporangiophores are specialized branches bearing one or more sporangia.

SporangiaSporangia produces spores during asexual reproduction. When it has enough spores, the sporangia opens and releases up to 40,000 spores for germination.

Life cycle OF A ZYGOMYCETEZygomycetes are capable of both sexual and asexual reproduction.During asexual reproduction, spores are released from the sporangium of the zygomycete.The released spores germinate if they are given favorable conditions of moisture and temperature.During germination, the spores form new masses of hyphae.

Life cycle OF A ZYGOMYCETEDuring sexual reproduction, hyphae of different mating types (+ and -) come together.When these two hyphae meet, they form a gametangia in which haploid gametes are produced.The haploid gametes fuse to form a diploid nuclei, while developing a thick wall called zygospore in the process.When given favorable conditions, the zygospore germinates and then develops into a hypha. The zygomycete is already in the process of meiosis.The hypha develops into a sporangia.

Life cycle OF A ZYGOMYCETEThe sporangia then, produces spores which grow into new zygomycetes.

Take note that sexual reproduction in zygomycetes is more advantageous than asexual reproduction because in this way, new combinations of genetic information are formed, increasing diversity within the species.

Life cycle OF A ZYGOMYCETE

Interactions with other organismsZygomycetes are usually harmful to humans and other living things as they are pathogens of sickness such as zygomycosis, a rare, fungal infection that can harm the fetus.Zygomycetes can also form commensalism. A zygomycete called Harpellales attaches itself to the back of the Chilean blackfly and feeds on nutrients the blackfly cannot utilize

Some zygomycetes are parasites to plants, animals, amoebas and other fungi and often causes disease outbreaks. For example, the sporangium of Mucorales specializes on infecting other fungi such as mushrooms.

Interactions with other organismsZygomycetes are also parasitic to fruits, bread and other sources where they can get energy by decomposing organic matter

Applications of ZYGOMYCETEsDue to its parasitic nature, humans used them as pest control. Some of this pathogenicity is being tapped for use in the biological control of specific insect pests, including periodical cicadas.Fermentations of some Asian foods use zygomycota.Zygomycetes can also be used to produce metabolites such as amylases, rennins, alcohol, and various organic acids

Fermentations- The process by which complex organic compounds, such as glucose, are broken down by the action of enzymes into simpler compounds.

Resourceshttp://microbewiki.kenyon.edu/index.php/Zygomycotahttp://tolweb.org/Zygomycotahttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZygomycotaPrentice Hall “Biology” by Miller and Levine (5th Edition)http://www.sparknotes.com/biology/microorganisms/fungi/section3.rhtmlhttp://creationwiki.org/Zygomycota