Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with chitinous cell walls that decompose organic matter. They grow in mycelium and reproduce via spores. Mushrooms have a long history of human use, but some species are poisonous. Fungi are used as biopesticides and can be found in every environment on Earth.
Fungi are a kingdom of eukaryotic organisms (their cells have nuclei). Other examples of biological kingdoms include Plantae, the plants, and Animalia, the animals. Common fungi include fungi, yeasts, and molds. Fungi are essential in decomposing dead organic matter in the soil and without them, biological waste would take much longer to degrade, making it difficult for the next generation of organisms to use the essential elements within them. While mushrooms may look like plants, they’re actually more closely related to animals. The study of fungi is known as mycology.
The key feature of fungi that distinguishes them from other organisms is their chitinous cell walls. This durable material, chitin, also makes up the shells of many insects. Fungi tend to grow in stringy structures known as mycelium and reproduce sexually or asexually via spores. In mushrooms, the spores are visible as black powder under the cap.
Mushrooms have a long history of human use. Yeasts are used to give bread the puffy texture we are familiar with. Many mushrooms are integrated into the dishes; Portobello mushroom is one of the most popular species. Some fungal species are essential for fermentation, the process behind the production of alcoholic beverages. The cheeses have the characteristic strange smell, and sometimes the color, due to carefully introduced mushrooms. Psilocybin mushrooms have long been consumed for their hallucinogenic properties. However, some mushroom species with creative names like “destroying angel” and “death cap” are very poisonous and can cause death within hours of consumption.
In an effort to reduce the use of chemically polluting pesticides, agricultural scientists have developed fungi for use as biopesticides, beneficial fungi that produce alkaloids that are toxic to a wide range of insects and other pests.
Fungi can be found in every environment on Earth, even in the dry valleys of Antarctica, where small microbial populations exist during the summer. Mushrooms exist in virtually every square meter of the earth’s surface that is not permanently frozen or completely sterilized. The only way to limit fungal growth is to use a refrigerator or freezer.
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