Laura Smith
Mushrooms are the fruit of fungal organisms, and are often referred to as the fruiting bodies. They are formed by the fusion of cells, which results in the creation of spores. Mushrooms have a complex anatomy, with four primary structures: the cap, stem, gills, and stalk. The stalk, also called the stipe or stem, may be central and support the cap, or it may be off-center or absent altogether. The gills, which are located under the cap, produce spores that fall in a fine rain of powder. Mushrooms also have an underground network of fungal filaments called mycelium, which functions similarly to the roots of plants. Mycelium is responsible for the decomposition of organic matter and plays a crucial role in the health of the environment. While mushrooms do not have organs in the traditional sense, they have distinct parts that serve specific functions, contributing to their growth, reproduction, and survival.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Part of | Fungi |
| Type of Fungi | Eukaryotic organisms |
| Other examples of fungi | Yeasts and moulds |
| Mycelium | Often referred to as the mushroom's root system |
| Role of Mycelium | To collect valuable resources and keep the mushroom anchored to the earth |
| Mycelium's composition | Mass of thread-like hyphae |
| Hyphae | Tiny, filamentous strands |
| Fruiting body | The mushroom itself |
| Other names for mushroom | Sporophore |
| Composition of mushroom | Cap and stem |
| Function | To spread spores at the end of the mushroom's life cycle |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are the fruit of fungal organisms
The mushroom itself is the part that we cook, see in pictures, or encounter in nature. It is also known as the fruiting body or sporophore. It has four primary structures: a cap, stem, gills, and spores. The cap, or pileus, is the structure on top of the mushroom that holds the gills or pores. The stalk, or stipe, may be central and support the cap in the middle, or it may be off-centre or absent altogether. The gills are the blade-like structures that bear spores. The spores, called basidiospores, are produced on the gills and fall in a fine rain of powder from under the caps.
Mushrooms develop from a nodule or pinhead called a primordium, which is typically found on or near the surface of the substrate. The primordium enlarges into a roundish structure of interwoven hyphae called a "button". The button has a cottony roll of mycelium, the universal veil, that surrounds the developing fruit body. As the egg expands, the universal veil ruptures and may remain as a cup, or volva, at the base of the stalk. Many mushrooms lack a universal veil and, therefore, do not have a volva.
Mushrooms are formed through the reproduction of fungi. Fungi reproduce and form spores, which are transported by wind or animals. When they land on the ground, they germinate and can grow, forming new mycelium. Fungi can also split their mycelium into smaller fragments, which then form independent mycelial networks.
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Mycelium is the mushroom's root system
Mushrooms are made up of three parts: the mushroom (the fruiting body), the spores (the seed), and the mycelium (the root system). The mycelium is a dense network of thin, thread-like filaments called hyphae, surrounded by a robust fungal cell wall. This network spreads into the substrate the fungus is growing on, such as wood, soil, compost, or grains, and its purpose is to find and break down food sources, collecting nutrients and water for the creation of the mushroom.
The mycelium has a similar function to the roots of plants. The hyphae explore the soil or any other substrate where fungi are growing and secrete digestive enzymes onto their food source, which is often dead organic materials and sometimes living organisms. The mycelium helps close the energy cycle of the ecosystem by decomposing organic matter and recycling it into beneficial compounds for the soil food web. Enzymes secreted by the fungal threads facilitate this cycle. The enzymes break down the substrate and the surrounding dead organic matter, and the hyphae facilitate the movement of nutrients to the mushroom.
Through their mycelium, fungi can partner with the roots of plants, including trees, creating a cross-kingdom web known as mycorrhizal networks. Mycorrhizal fungi are central to current debates about the "wood-wide web," with many representations presenting fungi as living fiber-optic cables that allow trees to "talk" to each other. However, fungi are more than just passive wires; they are actively perceiving, interpreting, and signaling. They do this constantly, with a wide range of beings.
Mycelial networks constitute 20-30% of soil biomass, and 83% of plants exhibit a mutualistic association with mycelium as an extension of their root systems. Mycelium is vital in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems for its role in the decomposition of plant material, and it contributes to the organic fraction of soil. It is also an important food source for many soil invertebrates and is essential for agriculture.
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Mushrooms have four primary structures
Mushrooms are the fruit of fungal organisms. They are not plants and do not have roots. However, they do have four primary structures.
Firstly, there is the mycelium, which is often referred to as the mushroom's root system. This is because it behaves similarly to plant roots, collecting resources and anchoring the mushroom. However, mycelium is different in that it secretes enzymes to break down and absorb surrounding dead organic matter. This process of decomposition is vital for the environment. The smaller, individual branching units that make up mycelium are called hyphae.
Secondly, the mushroom itself, also known as the fruiting body, is the part we cook, see in pictures, or encounter in nature. This is made up of a cap and stem, with the cap holding the gills or pores. The gills are an important feature of mushroom morphology, with some having free gills that do not extend to the top of the stalk, and others having gills that extend down the stalk.
Thirdly, the stalk, also called the stipe or stem, may be central and support the cap in the middle, or it may be off-centre or absent altogether.
Finally, the fourth structure is the spores. These are the tiny, seed-like structures that are transported by the wind or animals and go on to form new mushrooms.
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Mushrooms can communicate with other species
Mushrooms are the reproductive structures of fungi, and they are connected to the larger organism by a root network called mycelium. This network is made up of thin fungal strands called hyphae. Mycelium has a similar function in fungi to the roots of plants, and it can form cross-kingdom webs known as mycorrhizal networks with plant roots.
Fungi, including mushrooms, can communicate with many other species. They do this by sending and interpreting signals, which are created by a stream of chemicals, nutrients, and electrical impulses that flow between the cells within the mycelium. These signals may be used to coordinate actions and share information about food or injury.
Research by Professor Andrew Adamatzky of the University of the West of England in Bristol has found that these electrical impulses often cluster into patterns that resemble vocabularies of up to 50 words. The distribution of these "fungal word lengths" is similar to those of human languages. For example, the average fungal word length is 5.97, which is similar to English (4.8) and Russian (6). Split-gill mushrooms formed the most "complex sentences," according to the study.
However, it is important to note that the meaning of these signals remains a mystery. While the patterns of electrical spikes are similar to human speech, it is unclear if there is a direct relationship between the two. More research is needed before we can truly understand the language of fungi or even translate their words.
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Mushrooms are used in folk medicine
Mushrooms have been used in folk medicine for thousands of years. Ötzi, the Ice Man, who lived nearly 5300 years ago, carried birch polypore in a pouch to help him survive in the Alps of northern Italy. The First Peoples of North America used puffball mushrooms as wound healers. Ancient Egyptians used mouldy bread to treat wound infections. In Russia and Northern Europe during the 16th century, Inonotus obliquus was used in folk medicine for tumour treatment. In ancient Greece, Hippocrates mentioned the use of fungi for treating certain ailments.
In folk medicine, mushrooms are believed to have various health benefits. They are often marketed as dietary supplements in the form of powder or extracts. However, it is important to note that these supplements lack sufficient scientific evidence for safety or effectiveness, and their quality can vary due to inconsistent processing and labelling. While some mushrooms have shown potential medicinal properties, they have not undergone ample testing and are not approved by regulatory bodies like the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In traditional Chinese and Japanese cultures, certain species of mushrooms have been used to treat specific ailments. For example, the species Auricularia polytricha, commonly known as "wood ear" or "jelly ear," has been used for thousands of years in China to treat haemorrhoids and as a stomach tonic. The use of mushrooms in folk medicine varies across different cultures, with more species being utilised in Eastern cultures compared to Western cultures.
The medicinal properties of mushrooms are likely due to their unique relationship with microbes and their ability to produce a diverse range of chemical constituents. Modern science is now exploring the potential of mushrooms in medicine, particularly in naturopathic practices, to complement conventional treatments. The study of mycelium, the foundation of land-based food webs, has unveiled a range of active molecules that can interface and enhance modern medicine. The cultivation of mushrooms and the use of different solvents have further expanded our understanding of their medicinal constituents.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are the fruit of fungal organisms. They are not plants and do not have roots. However, they do have a mycelium, which behaves similarly to a root system.
Mycelium is a network of thin fungal strands called hyphae. It has a similar function to the roots of plants, collecting valuable resources and anchoring the mushroom to the earth.
The mushroom's primary evolutionary function is to spread spores at the end of its life cycle. Some of these spores will go on to produce new mushrooms.
The mushroom cap, also known as the pileus, is the structure on top of the mushroom that holds the gills or pores.
The stalk, or stipe, is the stem that may support the cap in the middle, or it may be off-centre or absent altogether.
