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A Handbook of Biology

White spots on mustard leaves are due to a parasitic fungus..

Some fungi are the source of antibiotics, E.g., Penicillium

Some unicellular fungi (e.g. yeast) are used to make bread

and beer.

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Other fungi cause diseases in plants and animals. E.g. wheat rust-

causing Puccinia.

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Except yeasts, fungi are filamentous.

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Their bodies consist of long, slender thread-like structures called hyphae.

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The network of hyphae is known as mycelium.

Some hyphae are continuous tubes filled with

multinucleated cytoplasm. These are called

coenocytic hyphae. Others have septae or cross

walls in their hyphae.

Fungal cell wall is made of chitin &

polysaccharides. (NEET-I 2016) Most fungi are

saprophytes (absorb soluble organic matter from

dead substrates). Some are parasites.

Some live as symbionts. E.g. Lichens (fungi+

algae), mycorrhiza (fungi + roots of higher

plants)