Fungal Morphogenesis

"This text covers the full scope of fungal developmental biology and is a readable and thorough account of a kingdom rarely studied by developmental biologists." Molecular Reproduction and Development

• Preface; 1. Fungi: a place in time and space; 1.1. Fungal lifestyle; 1.2. The essential nature of fungi; 1.3. Evolutionary origins; 1.4. Evidence from fossils; 1.5. Origin of development; 1.6. Evolution within Kingdom Fungi; 1.7. Horizontal transfer of genetic information; 1.8. Comparing and combining; 2. Hyphal growth; 2.1. Fungal cells; 2.2. Hyphal tip extension; 2.3. Septation; 2.4. Branching; 2.5. Growth kinetics; 2.6. Dynamic boundaries; 3. Metabolism and biochemistry of hyphal systems; 3.1. Nutrients in nature; 3.2. Extracellular polymer-degrading enzymes; 3.3. Production, location, regulation and use of degradative enzymes; 3.4. The menu of basic nutrients; 3.5. The wall and membrane as barriers; 3.6. The flow of solutes; 3.7. Transport strategy; 3.8. Water relations; 3.9. Intermediary metabolism; 3.10. Carbon metabolism; 3.11. Fat catabolism; 3.12. Nitrogen metabolism; 3.13. Secondary metabolism; 4. Physiological factors favoring morphogenesis; 4.1. Nutrition; 4.2. Adaptations of metabolism; 4.3. Environmental variables; 5. The genetic component of hyphal differentiation; 5.1. Nuclear divisions; 5.2. Sexuality in fungi; 5.3. Shape and form in yeasts and hyphae; 5.4. Sexual reproductive structures; 5.5. Overview; 6. Development of form; 6.1. Initiation of structures; 6.2. Cell differentiation; 6.3. Tissue domains; 6.4. Strategies of basidiomycete fruiting; 6.5. Commitment, regeneration and senescence; 6.6. Degeneration, senescence and death; 7. The keys to form and structure; 7.1. The nature of morphogenetic control; 7.2. Fungal morphogenesis; References; Index.