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4/29/2020

Forest Biology: Microbiology

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FUngi and the Ecosystem

Kingdom Fungi, one of the oldest and largest groups of living organisms

fungal cell walls contain chitin, a protein that also makes insect exoskeleton

A fungus is any member of the group of eukaryotic organisms that includes microorganisms such as yeasts and molds, as well as the more familiar mushrooms.

These organisms are classified as a kingdom, fungi, which is separate from the other eukaryotic life kingdoms of plants and animals

Taxonomy branches for microbiology

Eucarya: eukaryote, nucleus enclosed within membranes

Prokaryote: no membrane, a unicellular organism that lacks a membrane-bound nucleus, mitochondria, or any other membrane-bound organelle.

Bacteria: a member of a large group of unicellular microorganisms that have cell walls but lack organelles and an organized nucleus, including some that can cause disease.

Archaea: domain of single-celled microorganisms. These microbes are prokaryotes, meaning they have no cell nucleus
- Extremophiles: thrive in extreme environments
- we have yet to find a species that causes disease
- more complex RNA polymerases than Bacteria, similar to Eucary
- Might be able to survive on Mars

Phylogenetic Tree:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phylogenetic_tree

FUngal Life Cycle

https://hostdefense.com/blogs/host-defense-blog/the-mushroom-lifecycle

Inoculation: Spores alight upon a growth medium (or substrate). If conditions are favorable, spores will germinate.

Spore germination: Fine fungal filaments known as hyphae grow from the spores. Compatible hyphae mate to create fertile mycelium.

Fungal hyphae release digestive enzymes in order to absorb nutrients from food sources
Mutualism: Certain species of fungi may form a symbiotic relationship with plants whereby both species benefit

Hyphae

In most fungi, hyphae are divided into cells by internal cross-walls called “septate hyphae” for example “Aspergillus”, while some other fungi have non-septate hyphae, meaning their hyphae are not partitioned by septa and this type is called “Coenocytic hyphae“

https://www.sciencesource.com/archive/Mushroom-Hyphae-SS2180704.html

http://www.medical-labs.net/fungi-hyphae-1522/

mycelial expansion: Developing mycelium breaks down organic matter and absorbs nutrients from its surroundings. During this stage of growth, mycelium expands at an exponential rate. In its environment, mycelium encounters many competitors and predators which it repels with an amazing array of protective enzymes and compounds. In this sense, the mycelium is the immune system of the mushroom.
- hyphae are collectively together called a mycelium

hyphal knot: Mycelium condenses into hyphal knots, which then develop into “primordia” or baby mushrooms.

https://www.microscopemaster.com/mycelium.html

primordia formation: The mushroom organism produces an amazing array of enzymes and optimizes the constituents of both the mycelium and the developing fruitbody. Host Defense harvests during this peak stage of growth to capture an abundant constituent profile including polysaccharides (beta glucans, arabinoxylanes), glycoproteins, ergosterols, triterpenoids and other myco-nutrients.

fruitbody selection: From thousands of primordia, the growing organism selects the most promising few to develop into mature fruitbodies.

mature fruitbody: The organism channels all of its energy and nutrients to develop the fruitbody, which will then produce spores. Spore generation is the sexual reproduction phase of the mushroom life cycle.

spore release: The fruitbody releases spores into the environment for propagation. Those that land on a favorable substrate (or growth medium) can germinate, beginning the life cycle anew!

http://fungially.com/event/life-cycle-ecological-roles-fungi/

Mushrooms can replace wood in building materials

https://criticalconcrete.com/building-with-mushrooms/

FUNGI FOSTER AN EGALITARIAN NETWORK OF RESOURCES AND DATA TRANSFER (COMMUNICATION) BETWEEN PLANTS OF VARIOUS SPECIES THAT KEEP THE PLANET ALIVE

SOil Life involves many microorganisms

Protozoa: is a single-celled organism that is a eukaryote (which are organisms whose cells contain membrane-bound organelles and nuclei). Most have flagella to move around.

Protozoans:

https://www.carlsonstockart.com/photo/protozoa-diversity-protists-unicellular-illustration/

Nematodes

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4/22/2020

Forest Biology

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Biology in Diverse Environments

We have learned about the survival mechanisms of various species in various parts of the world and how DNA influences their offspring.

We will now learn more about the amazing ways in which creatures adapt and thrive as they pass their knowledge and genes along to every new generation.

What better way than to show you some examples of the interesting, the peculiar, the effective, and the marvelous ways in which adaptation takes place.

Just a few examples, there is always more to learn.

First, it would behoove us to learn what a forest even is.

What is a forest?

A forest is a large area dominated by trees. a natural woodland unit consisting of all plants, animals and micro-organisms (Biotic components) in that area functioning together with all of the non-living physical (abiotic) factors of the environment.

The forest ecosystem is very integrated.

There are three major types of forests, classed according to latitude:

Tropical.
Temperate.
Boreal forests (taiga)

Latitude and Longitude

Latitude: the angular distance of a place north or south of the earth's equator, or of a celestial object north or south of the celestial equator, usually expressed in degrees and minutes.

Longitudes: are therefore imaginary circles that intersect the North and South Poles, and the Equator. Half of a longitudinal circle is known as a Meridian. Meridians are perpendicular to every latitude. Unlike, latitudes, there is no obvious central longitude.

https://www.timeanddate.com/geography/longitude-latitude.html

Ancient forests:

https://www.afar.com/magazine/10-amazing-ancient-forests-around-the-world

https://www.roughguides.com/gallery/forests-of-the-world-forest-pictures/

Types of Forests

Tropical Rainforest:

Contain the greatest diversity of species of all biomes on earth.

Temperatures in tropical rainforests remain between 68 and 77 degrees Fahrenheit all year long. Winter is absent in these forests. Most tropical rainforests receive 100 inches of rain per year.