Fungi

Description

Today’s accelerated pace of research, aided by new instruments and techniques that combine the approaches of genetics, biochemistry, and cell biology, has changed the character of mycology. A new approach is necessary for the organization and study of fungi.

Fungi: Experimental Methods in Biology presents the latest information in fungal biology generated through the application of genetics, molecular biology, and biochemistry. This book analyzes information derived through real experiments, and focuses on unresolved questions in the field. Divided into six sections comprising 14 chapters, the text describes the special features of fungi, interactions of fungi with other organisms, model fungi in research, gene manipulation, adaptations, and natural populations.

Each chapter is self-contained and written in a style that enables the reader to progress from elementary concepts to advanced research, benefiting both beginning research workers and experienced professionals. A comprehensive appendix covers the principles in naming fungi and discusses their broad classification.

Contents

The Unique Features of Fungi

The Hyphal Mode of Life

Features of Hyphae

Cell Wall

Mycelium Formation

Concluding Remarks

The Multinuclear Condition

Nuclear Number and Hyphal Growth

Chromosome Numbers

Nuclear Division Cycle

Asynchronous Nuclear Divisions

Nuclear Migration

Positioning of Nuclei and Gene Regulation

Heterokaryosis

Parasexual Recombination

Concluding Remarks

Interactions of Fungi with other Organisms

Fungi as Symbiotic Partners

Mycorrhiza

Lichen

Some Unanswered Questions

Fungi as Plant Pathogens

Early Ideas on Plant Diseases

Some Striking Fungal Diseases

Classes of Plant Pathogenic Fungi

General Features of Pathogenesis

Concluding Remarks

Model Fungi in Research

Neurospora: A Gateway to Biology

Habitat, Life Style, and Life Cycle

Meiotic Events

Gene Maps

One-Gene-One-Enzyme Hypothesis

Molecular Revolution

Revelations from Genome Sequence

Concluding Remarks

Yeast: A Unicellular Paradigm for Complex Biological Processes

Molecular Mechanisms of DNA Replication and Cell Division

Bud Growth and Polarity

Mating and Signal Transduction Cascade

Protein Targeting

Mitochondrial Biogenesis

Functional Genomics

Proteomics and System Biology Modeling

Concluding Remarks

Aspergillus nidulans: A Model for Study of Form and Asexual Reproduction

Conidiophore Morphogenesis

Microcycle Conidiation

Conidiation Genes

Conidiation Trigger

Regulatory Pathway

Summary

Ustilago maydis: Mechanisms in Sexual Reproduction

Heterothallism vs. Homothallism

Cell-Cell Recognition

Extracellular Recognition

Intracellular Recognition

Overview

Gene Manipulation in Fungi

Transformation of Fungi and Discovery of Gene-Silencing Phenomena

Transformation Procedure

Hologous vs. Ectopic Integration of Transgene

Purification of Transformant

Gene-Silencing Phenomena

Concluding Remarks

Adaptations

Thermophilic Fungi: Eukaryotic Life at High Temperature

Discovery

Distribution in Soil

Physiology

Sectretory Enzymes

Concluding Remarks

Photoresponses and Circadian Rhythm

Types of Photoresponses in Fungi

Circadian Rhythm in Neurospora

Entrainment

Summary

Decomposition of Biomass

Decay of Wood and Litter

Biochemistry of Degradation of Cell Wall Polymers

Concluding Remarks

Populations

Species, Their Diversity and Populations

Value of Diversity

Number of Fungal Species

Species Recognition

Discovery of Intraspecies Variability

Generation of Variation

Detection of Genetic Variation in Populations

Speciation

Concluding Remarks

Senescence

Discovery of Senescing Strains

Distinguishing Nucleus and Mitochondria Based Senescence

Senescence in Podospora anserina

Plasmid-Based Senescence in Neurospora

Nuclear Gene Mutants

Aerobic Respiration, Aging, and Senescence

Concluding Remarks

Appendix: Naming, Defining, and broadly classifying fungi

Naming of Fungi

Definition of a Fungus

Classification

A Broad Classification of Fungi

Kingdom Straminipila (Stramenopila)

General References

Related Subjects

1. Botany & Plant Science
2. Microbiology
3. Botany
4. Microbiology