This laboratory is intended to introduce you to the Fungi. The fungi are an important group ecologically and economically. Ironically, they important in both of these areas for the same reason, they break down organic matter. Fungi are important ecologically because they help break down dead organic matter back into simpler compounds. Fungi were once classified as plants although they are not autotrophic.
Fungi are heterotrophs.
There are some fungi that have symbiotic relationships with autotrophs, but it is the symbiont and not the fungi that is photosynthesizing. This laboratory focuses on observation and examination of representative members of Kingdom Fungi. We will do the laboratory studies listed below, examining the organisms listed. The material to be covered will be from Exercise 14.2. Focus your attention toward the questions provided on the answer sheet.