BOT/GME General Mycology in English Language

Lecturer: Barbora Mieslerová
Lecture: 2 hours/week
Credits: 4
Winter semester
Form of course completion: exam

The main attention is paid to general characteristics of fungal organisms, their evolution and speciation, basic problems of classification and taxonomy, cytology, morphology, reproduction and genetics, physiology, metabolism, ecology, importance and utilization of fungal organisms (mainly in biotechnology). The lectures include topics such as thallus morphology, hyphae and their modifications, anatomy and morphology of fungal sporocarps and spores. Reproduction of fungi, life cycles of representatives of main fungal groups. Genetics and genetic variability of fungi – cell division, mutations, parasexuality, heterokaryosis, genetics of virulence and pathogenicity. Fungal physiology – nutrition, influence of environmental factors; metabolism – glycolysis, respiration, bioluminescence, primary and secondary metabolites. Ecological classification of fungal organisms – saprotrophs, symbionts (mycorrhizal fungi, lichenes, zoosymbiosis), zoo- and phytopathogenic fungi – classification, distribution and importance. Mycotoxicology (toxins of micromycetes and macromycetes). Utilization of fungi in industry, agriculture, biotechnology and medicine.

• Characteristics of fungi. Systematics od fungi. Fossil records of fungi.  
• Growth and development of fungi. Environemntal factors influencing growth and development of fungi.  
• Morphology of thallus, hyphae and their modification, anatomy and morphology of sporocarps. 
• Spores – characteristics, releasing and distribution.  
• Reproduction of fungi, life cycles.  
• Genetics and genetic variation of fungi – mutation, heterokaryosis,  parasexuality,  genetics of virulence and pathogenity, homothalism and heterothalism. 
• Physiology of fungi – modes of fungal nutrition. Metabolism - fungal enzymes, glykolysis, respiration, fermentation,  bioluminiscence, primary and secondary metabolites. 
• Ecological classification of fungi. Ecological succession, life strategies, stress, competition. Saprotrophic fungi. 
• Symbiotic fungi (mycorrhiza, lichenism, zoosymbiosis). 
• Zoo- and phytopathogenic fungi – classification, distribution and importance.  
• Mycotoxicology, toxins of micro – and macromycetes. 
• Exploitation of fungi in industry, agriculture, biotechnology and medicine.