Fungi: Yeasts

Learning Objectives for "Fungi: Yeasts"

After completing this section you should be able to perform the following objectives.

1. Briefly describe yeasts and state how they reproduce asexually.

2. Briefly describe pseodohypae, hyphae, blastoconidia (blastospores), and chlamydoconidia (chlamydospores) and name a yeast producing these structures.

3.* Name 4 potentially pathogenic yeasts and state the infections each causes.

Think-Pair-Share Questions

1. A woman has taken broad spectrum antibiotics for two weeks to treat a bacterial infection. She subsequently develops vaginitis.

a. Explain what might account for this.

b. Why didn’t the antibiotics prevent the vaginitis?

2. A young child with an immunosuppressive disorder and living in an urban area routinely played in a park with a large pigeon population. The child subsequently developed a respiratory infection followed by symptoms of meningitis.

a. What infection might be expected and why?

b. What might the lab look for in the spinal fluid to help confirm this?

(*) or (**) = possible discussion question

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