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The fungal dining habit: a biomechanical perspective

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 September 2004

NICHOLAS P. MONEY
NICHOLAS P. MONEY
Affiliation:
Department of Botany, Miami University, Oxford, Ohio 45056, [email protected]
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Abstract

Invasive hyphal growth allows filamentous fungi to insinuate themselves in the solid materials that serve as their food sources. Hyphae overcome the mechanical resistance of plant and animal tissues, and other substances through the secretion of digestive enzymes and the exertion of force. This force is derived from the osmotically-generated turgor pressure within the hypha and is governed by wall loosening at the growing apex. This article offers a concise description of the biomechanics of this process.

Keywords

appressoriadecompositionhyphaeinvasive growthrock penetrationturgor pressurewood decay
Type
Original Article
Information
Mycologist , Volume 18 , Issue 2 , May 2004 , pp. 71 - 76
Copyright
© 2004 Cambridge University Press

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