Ascomycota- Sarcoscypha coccinea
The fungi found in Phylum Ascomycota are heterotrophic organisms that require organic molecules as energy sources. They use their own enzymes to digest plant biopolymers. Their defining characteristic is the ascus, a tube-shaped vessel, also known as a meiosporangium. Spores borne internally in a sac make up the ascus, which is a microscopic sexual structure in which nonmotile spores are formed. The meiosporangium contains the sexual spores produced by meiosis and which are call ascospores.
There are a variety of commercial uses for the organisms in Phylum Ascomycota. Tolypocladium niveum works as an immunosuppressor, which aids people with autoimmune diseases. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker’s yeast) is used to make bread, beer, and wine, staples in the human diet.
Organisms found in Phylum Ascomycota include: Neurospora crassa and Candida albicans
Ascomycota- Neurospora crassa
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Stevens, A. (2010). Fungi handout. Unpublished manuscript, Department of Biology, Snow College, Ephrain, UT. Retrieved from http://www.snow.edu/allans/biology1010/fungihandout.html
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Ascomycota. (2011). Wikipedia. Retrieved February 24, 2011, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ascomycota