Fungi Resemblance
Phytophthora is sometimes referred to as a fungal-like organism but it is classified under a different kingdom altogether: Chromalveolata (formerly Stramenopila and previously Chromista). This is a good example of convergent evolution: Phytophthora is morphologically very similar to true fungi yet its evolutionary history is quite distinct. In contrast to fungi, stramenopiles are more closely related to plants than animals. Whereas fungal cell walls are made primarily of chitin, stramenopile cell walls are constructed mostly of cellulose. Ploidy levels are different between these two groups; Phytophthora have diploid (paired) chromosomes in the vegetative (growing, non-reproductive) stage of life, Fungi are almost always haploid in this state. Biochemical pathways also differ, notably the highly conserved Lysine synthesis path.
Read more about this topic: Phytophthora
Famous quotes containing the word resemblance:
“Meanwhile the mind from pleasure less
Withdraws into its happiness;
The mind, that ocean where each kind
Does straight its own resemblance find;
Yet it creates, transcending these,
Far other worlds and other seas,
Annihilating all thats made
To a green thought in a green shade,”
—Andrew Marvell (16211678)