Disease-Causing Fungi

Disease-Causing

Fungi

Discuss three diseases you know something about. What are the effects of these diseases?

Essential Question

How do disease-causing fungi affect plants?

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Fungi:• One of the five kingdoms of organisms.• Not autotrophs (can’t make their own

food)• Many fungi grow in or on other organisms

Fungi are heterotrophs, but they don’t move. How do they get their food?

Fungi & Plants• Some Fungi cause diseases in those plants

that result in huge crop losses.• A Fungus infected tree, fruit or grass can

eventually be killed• Examples: –Grain Mold–Corn Smut–Wheat Rust

Mold growth covering a decaying peach.

Why is wheat rust dangerous?

Why is corn smut dangerous?

Crops Affected by Fungi• Corn• Wheat• Rice• Cotton• Rye• Soybeans

Irish Potato Famine

Read the first four paragraphs on this site:http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/famine/begins.htm

What affect did the potato famine have on Ireland and the United States?

Are Fungi The “Bad Guys”?• Some fungi are helpful.• Fungi help decompose

(break down) dead things• People use some fungi as

medicine (penicillin)• Some animals

eat fungi

Corn SmutHelpful or Harmful?

Wheat RustHelpful or Harmful?

MushroomsHelpful or Harmful?

Grain MoldHelpful or Harmful?

Penicillin Helpful or Harmful?

Fungi on Dead Tree TrunkHelpful or Harmful?