Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Overview of Fungi

Overview of Fungi

Fungi are a diverse group of eukaryotes more closely related to animals than other eukaryotes. Fungal cell walls comprise chitin, a polysaccharide that provides structural strength, and glucans, which contribute to flexibility and integrity. Other polysaccharides, such as mannans and galactosans, may supplement or replace chitin in some fungi. These adaptations, along with their preference for acidic environments and tolerance for high osmotic pressure, enable fungi to thrive in various...

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Fungal Phylum Basidiomycota

Basidiomycota is a diverse phylum of fungi that includes ecologically significant decomposers such as white rot fungi, symbionts like mycorrhizal fungi, plant pathogens such as rusts and smuts, and edible species like Agaricus bisporus (the common button mushroom). These fungi play crucial roles in nutrient cycling, symbiotic relationships, and even human health. Their defining feature is the basidium, a microscopic club-shaped structure responsible for producing basidiospores.Fruiting Bodies...

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Fungal Phylum Ascomycota

Phylum Ascomycota, a major division within the subkingdom Dikarya, comprises a diverse range of fungal species, including both unicellular yeasts and filamentous molds such as Aspergillus and Penicillium. These fungi thrive in a variety of habitats, from aquatic ecosystems to terrestrial environments, playing crucial ecological and economic roles.Morphology and ReproductionThe defining characteristic of Ascomycetes, commonly referred to as sac fungi, is the ascus—a sac-like structure that...

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Fungal Group Zygomycota

Zygomycota, previously classified as a distinct fungal group, are primarily terrestrial, saprophytic molds that play a crucial role as decomposers. Recent phylogenetic studies have revealed that these fungi are now divided into two major clades — Mucoromycota, which includes many symbiotic species, and Zoopagomycota, which primarily consists of parasitic and pathogenic fungi. These groups exhibit distinct ecological roles and reproductive strategies while sharing key structural and...

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Fungal Phylum Microsporidia

Microsporidia are a group of obligate intracellular fungi that were initially classified as protists but were later reclassified based on phylogenetic, molecular, and structural evidence linking them to the Chytridiomycota. These unicellular, non-motile organisms are highly specialized parasites that infect a wide range of animal hosts, including humans. They have evolved extensive genomic and metabolic reductions, making them highly dependent on their hosts for survival.Morphology and Genomic...

Antifungal Agents

Antifungal Agents

Amphotericin B is a broad-spectrum antifungal agent that exploits structural differences between fungal and mammalian cell membranes. Its amphipathic structure—featuring a hydrophobic polyene-lactone ring and a hydrophilic region containing mycosamine and carboxylic acid groups—enables selective binding to ergosterol, a sterol predominantly found in fungal plasma membranes. This selective interaction underlies the drug’s antifungal activity, although weak binding to cholesterol contributes to...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Anucleate and titan cell phenotypes caused by insertional inactivation of the structural maintenance of chromosomes (smc) gene in the archaeon Methanococcus voltae.

Molecular microbiology·2004

Same author

Lateral gene transfer (LGT) between Archaea and Escherichia coli is a contributor to the emergence of novel infectious disease.

BMC infectious diseases·2003

Same journal

An Intentional and Ethical Integration of AI in Medical Imaging.

Radiologic technology·2026

Same journal

Benefits of Integrating AI Into Computer-Aided Detection Systems.

Radiologic technology·2026

Same journal

Using Artificial Intelligence to Enhance Analysis of Chest Computed Tomography.

Radiologic technology·2026

Same journal

A Practice-Aligned Approach to Integrating AI in Radiation Sciences Education.

Radiologic technology·2026

Same journal

Site Visitors: The Unsung Heroes of the Accreditation Process.

Radiologic technology·2026

Same journal

Extended Reality Innovations in Medical Imaging Education.

Radiologic technology·2026

See all related articles

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

Fungal pathogens: an overview.

David M Faguy¹

¹Jacobs Technology, Utah, USA.

Radiologic Technology

|March 17, 2011

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

Fungal infections, though less understood, cause significant illness and are challenging to treat. Rising rates are linked to the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic and immune-compromising treatments.

More Related Videos

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 3, 2026

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Isolation, Behavioral Identification, and Pathogenicity Assessment of Entomopathogenic Fungi from a Forest Wood Borer

Published on: September 29, 2023

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

An Ex vivo Assay to Study Candida albicans Hyphal Morphogenesis in the Gastrointestinal Tract

Published on: July 1, 2020

Area of Science:

Medical Mycology
Infectious Diseases
Public Health

Background:

Fungi are often overlooked infectious agents, posing diagnostic and therapeutic challenges for healthcare providers.
Fungal infections can lead to substantial morbidity, despite rarely being fatal.
Increasing prevalence is anticipated due to factors like the human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) epidemic, an aging demographic, and immunosuppressive therapies.

Purpose of the Study:

To provide an introductory overview of fungi and the spectrum of infections they cause.
To discuss key risk factors associated with fungal infections.
To outline current diagnostic and treatment strategies for fungal diseases.

Main Methods:

This article is a review, synthesizing existing knowledge on medical mycology.
It serves as a Directed Reading resource for continuing education.

Main Results:

Fungi represent a diverse group of pathogens with significant clinical impact.
Effective prevention and treatment of fungal infections remain complex challenges.
The incidence of fungal infections is projected to rise, necessitating greater awareness and improved management.

Conclusions:

Understanding fungi and their associated diseases is crucial for healthcare professionals.
Addressing the increasing burden of fungal infections requires enhanced diagnostic and therapeutic approaches.
This review aims to improve the recognition and management of fungal infections in clinical practice.