Fungus
From Freepedia
| Fungi | ||||
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| Image:Fungus on log.jpg Orange saprotrophic fungus. | ||||
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Chytridiomycota |
- For the fictional character, see Fungus the Bogeyman.
fungi (singular: fungus') are a group of organisms that are now thought of as one of the four kingdoms of eukaryotes, the others being animals, plants and protists. Long counted among the plantae they are nowadays considered to be more closely related to the animals and grouped together with these in the taxon of opisthokonts. Notable differences from animals include the mostly saprobiontic nutrition of fungi and in many cases the presence of a cell wall. This cell wall comprises chitin as a structural component, which together with their chemo-organo-heterotrophy distinguishes fungi from the photoautotrophic plants. Chitin cell walls and haploid nuclei differentiate them from structurally similar protists such as water moulds.
Fungi reproduce either sexually or asexually through spores. Both unicellular and multicellular forms exist.
Fungi occur in all environments on the planet and include important decomposers and parasites. Parasitic fungi infect animals, including humans, other mammals, birds, and insects, with consequences varying from mild itching to death. Other parasitic fungi infect plants, causing diseases such as butt rot and making trees more vulnerable to toppling. The vast majority of vascular plants are associated with mutualistic fungi, called mycorrhizae, which assist their roots in absorption of nutrients and water.
Human consumption
The above-ground fruiting bodies (mushrooms) of some fungi are popular as food: button mushrooms, oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, puffballs, morels, truffles, porcini (King bolete) and Mexican Corn smut are examples. Some mushrooms are also ingested for their hallucinogenic properties, both recreationally and religiously (as entheogens). The majority of mushroom species are inedible, typically small and bitter. Some mushrooms are extremely poisonous (see mushroom poisoning). Deadly species of the Amanita genus are easily mistaken for common edible types, including some from the same genus. Wild mushrooms should not be eaten unless identifed by an expert. Many fungi are used in the production of foods such as breads, alcohol, and certain cheeses. why?
