Fungi: Chitin, Yeasts, Molds, Mushrooms, and Decomposition

In this video, I discuss fungi, a group of eukaryotic organisms known for their role as decomposers and for containing the long-chain polymer chitin in their cell walls. Fungi are a highly diverse group that includes microorganisms like yeasts and molds, as well as mushrooms, which are the familiar fruiting bodies of certain fungi. They play an essential role in breaking down organic matter into simpler chemical compounds, which are then cycled throughout Earth's ecosystems. While it's estimated that there are over 2.2 million species of fungi, only around 148,000 have been scientifically described so far.

Time stamps:

Fungi are eukaryotic microorganisms and have chitin in their cell walls: 0:00
Mould is a fungus that grows multicellular filaments while yeasts are single-celled: 1:16
Mushroom or toadstool is spore=bearing fruiting body of a fungus: 2:56
Chitin is a long-chain polymer and is the primary component in cell walls of fungi, insects, arthropod exoskeletons: 3:44
Radula of mollusks (snails, octopus, etc.) are chitinous toothed tongue for scarping and cutting food: 6:44
Fungi are heterotrophs and acquire food by absorbing dissolved molecules by secreting digestive enzymes into their environment, and are the principle decomposers: 8:40
Fungi decomposing a fallen tree branch into simpler organic or inorganic matter: 9:57
Fungi are in the Eumycota phylogeny: 10:28
Slime mold are eukaryotic organisms live freely as single cells but can aggregate together to form multicellular reproductive structures: 11:25
Oomycota or water molds form a distinct fungus-like phylogenetic lineage: 12:09
Diversity of fungi images: 14:24
Fungi phylogeny tree: 17:37
Most fungi are not easy to notice because of their small size and cryptic lifestyles: 19:58
Sporocarp or fruiting body of fungi is a multicellular structure where spore-producing structures are borne: 21:52
Fungi can be symbionts or parasites of plants, animals, or other fungi: 23:56
Biogeochemical cycle is a pathway in which a chemical substances moves through biotic and abiotic compartments of Earth: 24:25
Cross section of the Earth's solid inner core, liquid outer core, mantle, and lithosphere crust: 26:32
Fungus kingdom is enormous and has over 2.2 million species, yet only 148,000 have been described: 27:22