Type of heterotrophic nutrition based on decayed organic matter
Mycelial cord offungi made up of a collection ofhyphae; an essential part in the process of saprotrophic nutrition, it is used for theintake oforganic matter through itscell wall. The network of hyphae (themycelium) is fundamental to fungal nutrition.
Look up saprotroph in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.
Various word roots relating to decayed matter (detritus,sapro-,lyso-), to eating and nutrition (-vore,-phage,-troph), and to plants or life forms (-phyte,-obe) produce various terms, such asdetritivore, detritophage, saprotroph,saprophyte, saprophage, and saprobe; their meanings overlap, although technical distinctions (based onphysiologic mechanisms) narrow thesenses. For example, biologists can makeusage distinctions based on macroscopic swallowing of detritus (as inearthworms) versus microscopiclysis of detritus (as withmushrooms).
Cellulose, a major portion of plant cells, and therefore a major constituent of decaying matter is broken down intoglucose
These products are re-absorbed into the hypha through the cell wall byendocytosis and passed on throughout the mycelium complex. This facilitates the passage of such materials throughout the organism and allows for growth and, if necessary, repair.[5]
In order for a saprotrophic organism to facilitate optimal growth and repair, favourable conditions and nutrients must be present.[7] Optimal conditions refers to several conditions which optimise the growth of saprotrophic organisms, such as;
Presence of water: 80–90% of the mass of the fungi is water, and the fungi require excess water for absorption due to the evaporation of internally retained water.[7]
Presence ofoxygen: Very few saprotrophic organisms can endure anaerobic conditions as evidenced by their growth above media such as water or soil.[7]
Neutral-acidicpH: The condition of neutral or mildly acidic conditions under pH 7 are required.[7]
Low-medium temperature: The majority of saprotrophic organisms require temperatures between 1 and 35 °C (34 and 95 °F), with optimum growth occurring at 25 °C (77 °F).[7]
The majority of nutrients taken in by such organisms must be able to provide carbon, proteins, vitamins and, in some cases,ions. Due to the carbon composition of the majority of organisms, dead and organic matter provide rich sources of disaccharides andpolysaccharides such asmaltose andstarch, and of the monosaccharideglucose.[5]
^abcClegg & Mackean (2006, p. 296) states the purpose of saprotrophs and their internal nutrition, as well as discussing the main two types of fungi that are most often referred to. It also describes, visually, the process of saprotrophic nutrition through a diagram of hyphae, referring to theRhizobium on damp, stale whole-meal bread or on rotting fruit.
^abcClegg & Mackean (2006, p. 296), fig 14.16—Diagram detailing the re-absorption of substrates within the hypha.
^abcdeClegg & Mackean (2006, p. 296), fig 14.17—A diagram explaining the optimal conditions needed for successful growth and repair.
Clegg, C. J.; Mackean, D. G. (2006).Advanced Biology: Principles and Applications (2nd ed.). Hodder Publishing.
Zmitrovich, I. V.; Wasser, S. P.; Ţura, D. (2014)."Wood-inhabiting fungi"(PDF). In Misra, J. K.; Tewari, J. P.; Deshmukh, S. K.; Vágvölgyi, C. (eds.).Fungi from Different Substrates. N. Y.: CRC Press, Taylor and Francis group. pp. 17–74.
