Fungal Diseases (AQA GCSE Biology): Revision Note

Fungi: Basics

• Fungi are a group of eukaryotic organisms

• Fungal pathogens are infectious microorganisms that infect plants or animals, e.g.:

  • rose black spot in plants

  • potato blight in plants

  • athlete's foot in humans

Rose black spot

• Rose black spot is a fungal disease of plants

Transmission

• Spores from the fungus are carried in the wind or by water

Symptoms

• Purple or black spots develop on the leaves, which can then turn yellow and fall off

• The loss of leaves reduces photosynthesis, resulting in a reduction in plant growth

Control

• Plants can be treated with fungicide chemicals to kill the pathogens

• Affected leaves can be removed and burned to prevent the spread of the infection over the plant

• Varieties of plants that have resistance to the disease can be grown