INTRODUCTION TO FUNGUS

* (Say this after the fun fact is read)

Most of the honey fungus cannot be seen, as the majority of it is composed of underground
filaments that connect the mushrooms we can see aboveground.

CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF FUNGI

​* ​(Say this after point 2 is read)

Our fingernails, toenails and the exoskeletons of insects are made of chitin as well.

STRUCTURE OF FUNGI
Almost all fungi have a filamentous structure EXCEPT yeast.
Fungi consist of long thread-like structures called hyphae. Hyphae are elongated cells that form
a branching filamentous structure.
These hyphae together form a mesh-like structure called the mycelium, which grows
underground.
Above ground, a large mass of hyphae grows to form the fruiting body. The fruiting body is the
reproductive structure of the fungus that produces haploid spores. It also classifies fungi into
one of its five phyla.

USES OF FUNGI
1. Recycling ​– They play a major role in recycling the dead and decayed matter. Fungi also play 
a major role in recycling organic material. The recently discovered fungus, Pestaloiopsis 
Microscopa consumes plastic. 

2. Food –
​ Cultured mushroom species are edible and are used as food by humans. 

3. Medicines ​– There are many fungi used to produce antibiotics, which control diseases in 
humans and animals. The first true antibiotic, Penicillin is derived from a common fungi 
Penicillium. 

4. Biocontrol Agents​ – Fungi are involved in exploiting insects, other small worms and help in 
controlling pests. Spores of fungi are sometimes used as pesticides. 

5. Food spoilage​ – Fungi are also responsible for major spoilage and economic losses of 
stored food. 
EXAMPLES OF FUNGUS
- Yeast
- Truffle
- mould