What are the general characteristics of water molds?

What are the general characteristics of water molds?

The water molds resemble other fungi because they have branched filaments and form spores. However, the water molds have cellulose in their cell walls, while other fungi have chitin. Oomycetes have a complex reproductive cycle which includes flagella‐bearing zoospores. Certain water molds are parasites of fish.

Are water molds algae?

Summary. Oomycota or oomycetes, which are also known as water molds, are a group of filamentous protists that physically resemble fungi. Water molds are related to organisms such as brown algae and diatoms, making them heterokonts (Phylum Heterokontophyta).

Do mold have cell walls?

Mold is a general name given to several members of the kingdom Fungi. Molds also have cell walls just as plants do, though the cell wall of a mold is made of a polysaccharide called chitin, while the cell wall of a plant is made of cellulose (see plant).

Are water molds scavengers?

Water moulds do not just live on seeds. Many are all-purpose scavengers, seeking out any form of organic material at hand. Some appear to be somewhat more carnivorous and are attracted to dead animal materials.

Why oomycetes are called water molds?

Oomycetes (a term used to refer to organisms in the phylum Oomycota) are a group of fungus-like organisms that rely on water for completion of their life cycle, hence the common name “water molds”.

Why are water molds not considered fungi?

Water molds were once thought to be fungi. The Oomycota were once classified as fungi, because of their filamentous growth, and because they feed on decaying matter like fungi. The cell wall of oomycetes, however, is not composed of chitin, as in the fungi, but is made up of a mix of cellulosic compounds and glycan.

Where are water molds found?

Many water molds live in fresh or brackish water or wet soils. Most species are saprotrophic (i.e., they live on dead or decaying organic matter), although some cause diseases in certain fishes, plants, algae, protozoans, and marine invertebrates.

Why is slime mold not a fungus?

The plasmodium ingests bacteria, fungal spores, and maybe other smaller protozoa. Their ingestion of food is one reason slime molds are not considered to be fungi. Fungi produce enzymes that break down organic matter into chemicals that are absorbed through their cell walls, not ingested.

What makes up the cell wall of water mold?

Their cell wall is composed of chitin, a glucose-like substance. Oomycota are nearly identical in both form and habitat, except that their cell walls are made up of cellulose, which makes them tougher and more durable. Taken together, chtridomycota and oomycota are water mold.

What kind of organism is a water mold?

Water molds are independent organisms that resemble fungi and bacteria, but are not actually either. Water mold that is present in the soil can attack plant roots and possibly kill off an entire crop. Chytridomycota are single-cell organisms that thrive in water and in moist soil. Their cell wall is composed of chitin, a glucose-like substance.

What makes up the cell wall of bacteria?

In bacteria, the cell wall is composed of peptidoglycan. The cell walls of archaea have various compositions, and may be formed of glycoprotein S-layers, pseudopeptidoglycan, or polysaccharides. Fungi possess cell walls made of the N-acetylglucosamine polymer chitin. Unusually, diatoms have a cell wall composed of biogenic silica.

What kind of mold is in a swimming pool?

Any growth or buildup in a swimming pool is generally called water mold. Oomycota is also referred to as “downy mildew,” and it is usually oomycota that takes root in homes and other wooden structures. The durable cellulose “skin” of oomycota means that oomycota frequently takes up residence in wood and walls.