Mycorrhizal Fungi Animation

Summary

Over 80% of plants form a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi, a bond that has existed for over 450 million years. This partnership begins when fungal spores reach plant roots, where they penetrate the root and create a network inside the cells. Through this, plants and fungi exchange sugars and nutrients. The fungi's hyphae expand outside the roots, covering a vast area of soil, up to 700 times more than the plant's own roots. This secondary root system draws in additional nutrients and water, supporting the plant's growth throughout its life.

Takeaways

• 😀 Over 80% of plants engage in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi.
• 😀 This symbiosis has existed for over 450 million years, forming a lifelong bond between fungi and plants.
• 😀 Mycorrhizae is the term for the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and a plant's root system.
• 😀 The fungi begin their lifecycle as spores that germinate in the soil and locate the nearest plant roots.
• 😀 Once at the roots, the fungi colonize them, establishing mycorrhizae.
• 😀 The fungi penetrate plant roots and create an internal network of fungal structures inside root cells.
• 😀 Through this internal network, the fungi and plant exchange sugars and nutrients.
• 😀 The fungi develop hyphae (filaments) outside the roots, extending the network further.
• 😀 The fungal network extends over 700 times the area of the plant's roots, greatly expanding its reach.
• 😀 This extended network absorbs extra nutrients and water, providing critical support for the plant's entire lifetime.

Q & A

What percentage of plants live in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi?

Over 80% of plants live in a symbiotic relationship with mycorrhizal fungi.

How long has the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants existed?

The symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants has existed for over 450 million years.

What does the term 'mycorrhizae' refer to?

Mycorrhizae refers to the symbiotic relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and a plant's root system.

How do mycorrhizal fungi reach plant roots?

The spores of mycorrhizal fungi germinate in the soil and then make their way to the nearest plant roots.

What happens after the fungi reach the plant roots?

Once the fungi reach the plant roots, they colonize them and establish the mycorrhizae relationship.

What occurs inside the plant roots after the fungi penetrate them?

After penetrating the roots, the fungi create an internal network of fungal structures inside the root cells, where they exchange sugars and nutrients with the plant.

How does the external part of the fungi network help the plant?

The external hyphae (filaments) continue to develop outside the roots, forming a network that covers up to 700 times more soil area than the plant's own roots, drawing in extra beneficial nutrients and water.

How much more soil area do the mycorrhizal fungi cover compared to the plant's own roots?

The mycorrhizal fungi cover up to 700 times more soil area than the plant's own roots.

What is the long-term benefit of the mycorrhizal fungi for the plant?

The mycorrhizal fungi support the plant or tree for its entire lifetime by providing extra nutrients and water.

Why is the relationship between mycorrhizal fungi and plants considered mutualistic?

The relationship is mutualistic because both the fungi and the plant benefit from it: the fungi receive sugars from the plant, while the plant gets additional nutrients and water from the fungi.