THE FUNGI

‣ By: Ghazi, Maria, Svetlana and Ben

KINGDOM
THE
INTRODUCTION
TEXT

FUNGI
Fungi can be single celled or very complex multicellular organisms. They are
found in just about any habitat but most live on the land, mainly in soil or on
plant material rather than in sea or fresh water. A group called the
decomposers grow in the soil or on dead plant matter where they play an
important role in the cycling of carbon and other elements. Some are parasites
of plants causing diseases such as mildews, rusts, scabs or canker. In crops
fungal diseases can lead to significant monetary loss for the farmer. A very
small number of fungi cause diseases in animals. In humans these include skin
diseases such as athletes’ foot, ringworm and thrush.
LIFE CYCLE
Their life cycle
Fungi start life as tiny spores. When a spore lands on favorable real estate (depending
upon the species this might be a slice of bread, a fallen log, or a pile of leaves) it
sends out a thin, hair-like tube called a hypha (plural hyphae). The hypha secretes
enzymes that break down the chosen food source. These enzymes are similar to those
found in the stomachs of animals, but “digestion” takes place outside the fungus.
Nutrients are then absorbed by the hypha.
The fungus grows more and more hyphae within the food source. Eventually these
hyphae form a crisscrossed mat that looks a bit like cobwebs. This mat is called a
mycelium. Though you might spot mycelia while digging through the dirt or while
breaking up a rotting stump, the only part of a fungus we usually see is the fruiting
body. Fungi produce a dizzying array of fruiting bodies—from teeny, tiny knobs on
the ends of visible bread mold to giant to bright red fly agaric toadstools that look like
something straight out of a fairy tale. The fruiting body’s primary function is to
launch the next generation, in the form of spores, out into the world. Spores that fall
on favorable locations start the process all over again.
 What is the
purpose of fungi
For penicillin. In this single form, fungi have had a profound impact on human
life as we know it. It doesn’t end there though. Like warm, fluffy bread? Stinky
cheese? Thank the fungi. Glad you don’t have to slog through insurmountable
piles of dead plants from eons gone by? Thank the fungi. Enjoy morels sautéed
in butter or truffles shaved thinly over pasta. Well, that one’s obvious isn’t it!
A less obvious way fungi affect our lives is through their recently-discovered
relationships with plants. Turns out a group called mycorrhizal fungi form
symbiotic relationships with plants. The fungus uses its hyphae to extend the
plant’s roots, giving the plant greater access to water and nutrients. In return,
the plant provides the fungi some of the sugars it creates through
photosynthesis. Many of our food crops depend on this relationship to produce
healthy plants. Like food? Thank the fungi!
USEFUL FUNGI
 Useful Fungi

Yeast—Baking ,Brewing

Antibiotics—eg . Penicillin

Other drugs

Many organic acids that are produced with fungi.

Steroids and hormones

Certain “stinky” cheeses

HARMFUL FUNGI
TEXT

BAD ONES
▸ Although there are useful Fungi there are harmful ones like the
ones that give you athletes foot, hammer toe and many more. They
can even kill you if left untreated.