Zygomycota facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Zygomycota |
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| Sporangium of a Phycomyces sp. | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: |
Fungi
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| Phylum: |
Zygomycota
C. Moreau 1954
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| Class: |
Zygomycetes
Winter 1881
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Zygomycota, also known as zygote fungi, is a big group of about 1600 different species of fungi.
Scientists group fungi based on how they reproduce. The name Zygomycota comes from special structures called zygosporangia. These are tough, round shapes where spores are made during sexual reproduction.
Where Zygomycota Live
Most zygote fungi live in the soil. You can also find them on dead plants or animals that are breaking down.
Some Zygomycota are parasites. This means they live on or inside other living things, like plants, insects, or small animals, and get their food from them. Other types of Zygomycota form special partnerships called symbiotic relationships with plants. In these partnerships, both the plant and the fungus help each other to grow.
How Zygomycota Grow
The main body of a fungus is called a mycelium. It is made of tiny threads called hyphae. In Zygomycota, these hyphae are often like one long tube with many cell parts (called nuclei) inside, but no walls dividing them into separate cells. This is called a syncytium.
Sometimes, these hyphae do form walls, called septa. This usually happens only when the fungus is making special cells for reproduction (called gametes), or to seal off parts of the hyphae that have died.
Images for kids
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An immature zygosporangium of the Rhizopus fungus forming from two fused gametangia, showing a "yoke" shape.
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Detail of Sporangia of a Zygomycota species growing on a peach.
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A sporangium, which produces spores.
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Typical fungal cell wall structure.
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How trisporic acid B might be made in fungi.
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A family tree showing how different fungi are related.
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Zygomycetes growing on a solid food source in a lab.
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See also
In Spanish: Zygomycota para niños
