Natures wonders: plant and fungus in symbiosis (Introduction)

by David Turell , Friday, April 21, 2017, 15:58 (2771 days ago) @ David Turell
edited by David Turell, Friday, April 21, 2017, 16:16

Fungi on roots gets nutrients from photosynthesis from the plant:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/biology/symbiotic-connections-of-plants-and-fungi?utm_source...

A photo to see:

"Fluorescent green tendrils of fungi form tree-like structures known as arbuscules within their host plant cells.

"This image, captured by confocal microscopy, depicts the interrelationship between plants and a group of fungi called Glomeromycota in a process known as Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) symbiosis. In this mutual barter, the fungus inhabiting the plant’s roots extends its branches (known as hypha) into the nearby soil to extract and provide additional nutrients to its host plant. In return, the fungus receives food produced by the plant via photosynthesis.

"Previously, it was assumed that this food source contained only high-energy sugars, however new research published in New Phytologist suggests otherwise. Researchers from the University of Bonn have provided the first experimental evidence of the exchange of lipids or fats in AM symbiosis demonstrating the fungus’ reliance on its host plant for its supply of complex lipids essential for its survival. "

Comment: this type of nutritional inter relational is not uncommon, but the lipid transfer is very unusual, and the method of membrane transfer is not yet known. One must wonder how it all began. Probably as a 'friendly' invasion by the fungus, not as a harmful infection, with epigenetic adaptations that followed. Until the complexity of the methods are known, necessity for design help is unclear. My point is complexity requires design, simple adaptions do not.