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Classification of Fungi : Impwortant concepts

Classification of Fungi - Biology Notes
Biology Notes

Classification of Fungi & Important Concepts

Published for NEET / AIPMT Prep • Read time: 4 mins

Kingdom Fungi is classified into various classes based on three primary structural and reproductive criteria:

  • Morphology of the mycelium
  • Mode of spore formation
  • Type of fruiting bodies

Hierarchy of Fungi Classes

Fungi │ ┌──────────────────┴──────────────────┐ Phycomycetes Ascomycetes Basidiomycetes Deuteromycetes │ ┌────┴────┐ Oomycetes Zygomycetes

Comparative Analysis of Fungal Classes

Features Oomycetes
(Algal fungi)		 Zygomycetes
(Conjugation fungi)		 Ascomycetes
(Sac fungi)
Habitat Mostly aquatic Terrestrial, mostly saprophytic, rarely parasitic Terrestrial, saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous
Mycelium Coenocytic and aseptate Coenocytic and aseptate Septate and branched
Cell Wall Cellulosic Chitinous Chitinous
Asexual Reproduction By zoospores By sporangiospores By conidia
Sexual Reproduction Present Present Present
Type of Plasmogamy Gametangial contact Gametangial copulation or conjugation Mostly all types of plasmogamy
Fruiting Body ABSENT ABSENT Present called Ascocarp
Sexual Spore Oospore Zygospore Ascospore
Site of Meiosis Oospore Zygospore Ascus
Examples Albugo, Phytophthora, etc. Rhizopus, Mucor, etc. Penicillium, Aspergillus, etc.
🔥 Key Exam Hotspot
Motile structures do NOT occur in the life cycle of Ascomycetes.

Important Fungi to Remember

Name of Fungi Class Key Characteristics / Comments
(1) Albugo Oomycetes Causes white rust of crucifers
(2) Phytophthora Oomycetes Causes late blight of potato
(3) Rhizopus Zygomycetes Called bread mould
(4) Mucor Zygomycetes Called dung mould
(5) Yeast Ascomycetes Used to make beer and bread (Unicellular)
(6) Penicillium Ascomycetes Source of the antibiotic Penicillin
(7) Aspergillus Ascomycetes Called weed of laboratory
(8) Neurospora Ascomycetes Called Drosophila of plant kingdom
(9) Morels and Truffles Ascomycetes Are edible and considered delicacies

Practice Questions

Re-AIPMT 2015

Q1. Choose the wrong statement:

  • (1) Yeast is unicellular and useful in fermentation.
  • (2) Penicillium is multicellular and produces antibiotics.
  • (3) Neurospora is used in the study of biochemical genetics.
  • (4) Morels and truffles are poisonous mushrooms.
✅ Correct Answer: (4) Morels and truffles are poisonous mushrooms.
NEET 2016

Q2. Which one of the following statements is wrong?

  • (1) Phycomycetes are also called algal fungi.
  • (2) Cyanobacteria are also called blue-green algae.
  • (3) Golden algae are also called desmids.
  • (4) Eubacteria are also called false bacteria.
✅ Correct Answer: (4) Eubacteria are also called false bacteria.
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