HOW FUNGI RESPONDS TO EXTERNAL STIMULI |
6.L.5A.2 Analyze and interpret data to describe how fungi respond to external stimuli (including temperature, light, touch, water, and gravity). |
Essential Knowledge
It is essential that students understand that fungi are able to respond to information from their environment to ensure survival of the organism. Fungi, like plants, respond to stimuli from the environment. ● In early development, many species will grow in response to light (phototropism) or away from gravity (gravitropism/geotropsim). However, as the fungal species mature, they tend to display negative gravitropism/geotropism. Because fungi lack a root system, they use hyphae. ● Hyphae are long fibrous strands that allow the fungus to obtain water and nutrients. ● Hyphal growth is greatly influenced by stimuli and will grow toward a food source, water, or even toward reproductive units of other fungi. ● Collectively, a mass of hyphae are referred to as a mycelium. Extended Knowledge • Students can explore how tropisms in fungi and plants are similar and obtain, evaluate, and communicate information regarding how these two different kingdoms have similarities in early development and growth. • Students may also develop and use models to explain how various types of fungi reproduce. Assessment Guidance The objective of this indicator is to analyze and interpret data to describe how fungi respond to external stimuli. Therefore, the primary focus of assessment should be for students to analyze and interpret data from informational texts, observations, measurements, or investigations that supports claims that fungi are able to respond to stimuli from their environment. This could include but is not limited to students analyzing informational text and using that as evidence to argue whether a sample fungus has grown in response to light (phototropism) or away from gravity (gravitropism/geotropism). These fungal examples can be diagrams, images, or live examples. Students can also use a variety of resources to explain how the hyphae, although not easily observed, are present and how the mycelium is helping the fungus to survive. In addition to analyze and interpret data, students should ask questions; plan and carry out investigations; use mathematics and computational thinking; engage in argument from evidence; construct explanations; develop and use models; obtain, evaluate, and communicate information; and construct devices or define solutions.
FUNGI SORT MAP-thanks to Briana Everhart (FMS) for making this for us! :)
Mold Colony Results |
Fungi PPT
Protists & Fungi Review Video: Shout out of thanks to Danielle Hamilton and her students at W.P.M.S.
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