Introduction to The Fungi Kingdom
By zteve t evans
Fungi are a hugely diverse group of organisms that despite their importance to maintaining the environment on Earth are greatly understudied in comparison to plants and animals. They are neither plants nor animals and belong to their own kingdom yet are of vital importance to the wellbeing of both groups.
It is uncertain how many species of fungi there are globally. Estimates range from 700,000 to 5 million so clearly no one really knows. The most widely quoted estimate is 1.5 million which still makes it six times as diverse as flowering plants. Only about 100,000 species of fungi have so far been described.
Classifying fungi
Fungi are very important organisms that play a crucial part in the cycle of life on the planet. They are neither plants, or animals and are given their own kingdom in how life on Earth is classified.
Fungi are not flora or fauna
Since 1969, they have been given their own separate group for classification purposes.. By using DNA sequences and by comparing cell structures they have been found to be more closely related to fauna than flora. Because like plants they do not move we tend to think of them as flora but a little more intensive study shows that is about all they have in common.
Classifying fungi
Fungi are very important organisms that play a crucial part in the cycle of life on the planet. They are neither plants, or animals and are given their own kingdom in how life on Earth is classified.
Fungi are not flora or fauna
Since 1969, they have been given their own separate group for classification purposes.. By using DNA sequences and by comparing cell structures they have been found to be more closely related to fauna than flora. Because like plants they do not move we tend to think of them as flora but a little more intensive study shows that is about all they have in common.
How do fungi feed?
Fungi are sometimes compared to the human stomach turned inside out. They release enzymes from the outside of their bodies to break down nutrients that can then be absorbed into their bodies. In this way Fungi have to live either on or in their food. It is fungi that causes all the dead wood, leaves and animals to decay in forests and recycles it into nutrients that benefit plants and the rest of the ecosystem.
How is a fungus constructed?
Fungi come in a multitude of different shapes and sizes from single celled yeasts to others that are formed from multitudes of minute filaments. During the reproductive cycle parts of filaments will begin to form differently from each other into more complex structures that are sometimes called fruiting bodies. Mushrooms and toadstools are the two best known examples of fruiting bodies but there are many other different types.
Fungal reproduction
Fungal reproduction happens by self-cloning or by sex with compatible partners. They produce millions of spores which can disperse in the air and can be spread over considerable distances and with luck find a partner. Unusually, fungi are not just male and female but they can have what are termed, "mating types" sometimes as many as twenty thousand different ones. Even more extraordinary still sometimes filaments of two individuals will fuse together and merge their DNA, a feat that no animal or plant can achieve.
Fungi are sometimes compared to the human stomach turned inside out. They release enzymes from the outside of their bodies to break down nutrients that can then be absorbed into their bodies. In this way Fungi have to live either on or in their food. It is fungi that causes all the dead wood, leaves and animals to decay in forests and recycles it into nutrients that benefit plants and the rest of the ecosystem.
How is a fungus constructed?
Fungi come in a multitude of different shapes and sizes from single celled yeasts to others that are formed from multitudes of minute filaments. During the reproductive cycle parts of filaments will begin to form differently from each other into more complex structures that are sometimes called fruiting bodies. Mushrooms and toadstools are the two best known examples of fruiting bodies but there are many other different types.
Fungal reproduction
Fungal reproduction happens by self-cloning or by sex with compatible partners. They produce millions of spores which can disperse in the air and can be spread over considerable distances and with luck find a partner. Unusually, fungi are not just male and female but they can have what are termed, "mating types" sometimes as many as twenty thousand different ones. Even more extraordinary still sometimes filaments of two individuals will fuse together and merge their DNA, a feat that no animal or plant can achieve.
Where does fungus live?
Fungi can be found living on all the continents of the Earth in the harshest of environments and in just about all other earthly conditions. They even thrive on the inside and outside of plants, animals and even human beings and have existed for over one billion years.
The importance of fungi
Of course there are some species of fungi that humans regard as bad because they cause illness, destroy crops and even bulidings and other structures. Nevertheless, fungi are essential for the maintenance of life on earth and are a vital component in all earthly ecosystems.
© 08/09/2014 zteve t evans
Fungi can be found living on all the continents of the Earth in the harshest of environments and in just about all other earthly conditions. They even thrive on the inside and outside of plants, animals and even human beings and have existed for over one billion years.
The importance of fungi
Of course there are some species of fungi that humans regard as bad because they cause illness, destroy crops and even bulidings and other structures. Nevertheless, fungi are essential for the maintenance of life on earth and are a vital component in all earthly ecosystems.
© 08/09/2014 zteve t evans
Reference and Attributions
Copyright 8 September, 2014 zteve t evans
Copyright 8 September, 2014 zteve t evans