They are unicellular (e.g., yeast, Sacharomyces) or multicellular (e.g., Penicillium).
They are saprophytic, decomposers, parasitic or coprophilous (growing on dung).
Mycelium is branched and septate.
Asexual reproduction: By conidia produced exogenously on the special mycelium called conidiophores. Conidia germinate to produce mycelium.
Sexual reproduction: By ascospores produced endogenously in sac like asci (sing. ascus). The asci are arranged to form fruiting bodies called ascocarps.
E.g. Aspergillus, Clavicepsand Neurospora.
Neurosporais used extensively in biochemical and genetic work.
Many members like morelsand bufflesare edible and are considered delicacies.
