Fungal Culture Observation Post by Group [4.0 A]

Group members: John Yang, Ali Ahmadi, Tony Tilt, Nobnaret Sonthirak (Kyle) 

 Figure 1. illustrates oyster mushroom log on the first day.

Our group did the oyster mushroom. We first sprayed it down with the de-ionized water, and then we covered it with a plastic bag. This is to maintain the humid environment that will maximize the growth of the mushroom. We repeated this for every lab session. 

Initially, there was no fruiting body present on the log. 

Figure 2. displays oyster mushroom log on the final day.

With regards to the final day, there were more mushroom than we could count. The size vary from the biggest being 7 cm to the smallest being 1 cm. Moreover, the bottom of the tray was covered with spores.

Pilobolus Observation

Figure 3. shows the overview of the pilobolus at an early of their development

Figure 4. illustrates the zoom-in version of the pilobolus under a dissecting microscope

Figure 5. shows the spores from the explosion toward the light

 Compare and contrast between oyster mushroom and pilobolus fungi 

- Both of the mushroom grow toward the light (i.e. an of phototropism).

-They secrete spores in different ways. One of them which is oyster mushroom, dropped it's spores onto the tray. There were a lot a white spores on the tray. The pilobolus fungi exploded and releasing black spores to the surrounding environment towards the sunlight. 

-The pilobolus fungi is much smaller than the oyster mushroom. 

-The oyster mushroom produced spores continuously meanwhile the pilobolus fungi produce spores only when it explodes.