Lecture 1: General Discussion of Fungi
This is a two lecture module. Enjoy your day off on Thursday. :0)
Today's lecture runs about 20 minutes. We will be focusing on what characteristics are common to all fungi, fungi reproduction, and symbiosis in kingdom fungi.
Today's lecture runs about 20 minutes. We will be focusing on what characteristics are common to all fungi, fungi reproduction, and symbiosis in kingdom fungi.
Lecture 2: Fungi Classification
This lecture is also a short 20 minute lecture.
In this lecture we will tour through the four phylums of Fungi: Amastigomycota, Mastigomycota, Imperfect Fungi, and Myxomycota. The key to each phylum is their method of reproduction. Within phyium Amastigomycota we will take a look at three classes. These classes contain some very familiar fungi such as mushrooms and bread mold.
Take a look at the puff ball mushroom in the video below. The smoke isn't smoke. It is spores.
In this lecture we will tour through the four phylums of Fungi: Amastigomycota, Mastigomycota, Imperfect Fungi, and Myxomycota. The key to each phylum is their method of reproduction. Within phyium Amastigomycota we will take a look at three classes. These classes contain some very familiar fungi such as mushrooms and bread mold.
Take a look at the puff ball mushroom in the video below. The smoke isn't smoke. It is spores.
Module Labs
This module is one where getting an early start will be important. Even in the first week of the module start encouraging mold to grow on break and start keeping an eye out for mushrooms in your yard and in natural areas that you can get to easily. If you have a blacklight, be sure to turn it on with your mushroom collection once it gets dark. There are several types of mushrooms that glow under black light such as foxfire, honey mushrooms, and mushrooms in the genus Amilaria.
Another fun way to enjoy this lab is through preparing a meal that highlights fungi. Yeast is a fungi and it is what makes fresh yeast bread rise. This would be an excellent time to make a fresh loaf of home made bread. Making a food item that highlights mushrooms would be great too. There are a few types of cheeses that get their distinctive flavor from the addition of fungi. Blue cheese, Camembert, and Roquefort cheeses are like this.
One of the labs involves looking closely at a mushroom and examining the spores with a magnifying glass and/or a microscope. This is also a great time to try a spore print. I will show you how to do that on lab day. Also, if some mold volunteers itself in your tub or in other damp cool places, don't miss the chance to take a good close look at it too. Skip these labs if you are allergic to mold spores.
Another fun way to enjoy this lab is through preparing a meal that highlights fungi. Yeast is a fungi and it is what makes fresh yeast bread rise. This would be an excellent time to make a fresh loaf of home made bread. Making a food item that highlights mushrooms would be great too. There are a few types of cheeses that get their distinctive flavor from the addition of fungi. Blue cheese, Camembert, and Roquefort cheeses are like this.
One of the labs involves looking closely at a mushroom and examining the spores with a magnifying glass and/or a microscope. This is also a great time to try a spore print. I will show you how to do that on lab day. Also, if some mold volunteers itself in your tub or in other damp cool places, don't miss the chance to take a good close look at it too. Skip these labs if you are allergic to mold spores.