Question

Give a comparative account of the classes of kingdom fungi under the following,
(i) Mode of Nutrition
(ii) Mode of Reproduction

Answer 1

The Kingdom Fungi has four different classes namely,
(I) Phycomycetes
(II) Ascomycetes
(III) Basidiomycetes
(IV) Deuteromycetes
The mode of nutrition and reproduction differs for each class of the fungi.

Complete Answer:
(I) Phycomycetes- This group of fungi includes members namely, Mucor, Rhizopus, etc.
A) Mode of nutrition- They are obligate parasites (cannot complete the life cycle without a host). They are generally found on plants as well as dead and decaying matter.
B) Mode of Reproduction- Asexual reproduction in members of this class of fungi occurs by the help of spores (zoospores) and aplanospores. These are produced in the sporangium. Oogamous, isogamous or anisogamous type of sexual reproduction is observed in few members of the class.

(II) Ascomycetes- This group of fungi includes members namely, Aspergillus, Yeast, etc.
A) Mode of nutrition- They can either be decomposers, coprophilous, or parasitic.
B) Mode of Reproduction- Sexual as well as asexual reproduction is observed in the members. Sexual reproduction occurs with the help of ascospores. While, asexual reproduction is assisted by the aid of asexual spores.

(III) Basidiomycetes- This group of fungi includes members namely, Puccinia, Agaricus, etc.
A) Mode of nutrition- They can be either decomposers or parasitic.
B) Mode of Reproduction- Fragmentation is a common way of asexual reproduction in this class. Sexual reproduction can take place by fusion of hyphae. This results in formation of basidiospores.

(IV) Deuteromycetes- This group of fungi includes members namely, Trichoderma, Fusarium, etc.
A) Mode of nutrition- They are majorly decomposers but parasitic way of nutrition is observed too.
B) Mode of Reproduction- This class of fungi do not show a sexual way of reproduction. Asexual reproduction takes place with the aid of asexual spores.

Note: Fungi obtain the nutrition by being dependent on other organisms or dead and decaying matter present in the surrounding. Therefore, they are either parasitic or saprotrophic. Asexual reproduction occurs in fungi by means of spores, budding or fragmentation. While, sexual reproduction takes place by the aid of sexual structures and spores.