Laura Smith
Mushrooms are neither plants nor animals. They are part of the Fungi kingdom, which also includes yeasts, moulds, smuts, and rusts. Fungi have been historically grouped with plants, but they lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. They also have cell walls made of chitin, unlike plants, which have cellulose. Fungi are, in fact, more closely related to humans than they are to plants.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Fungi |
| Phylum | Basidiomycota |
| Class | Club fungi |
| Food | Mushrooms obtain nutrition from metabolizing non-living organic matter |
| Photosynthesis | Mushrooms do not make their own food and do not photosynthesize |
| Cell walls | Mushrooms have cell walls |
| Shape | Mushrooms have a plant-like shape, with a stem and cap |
| Spores | Mushrooms produce spores |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, not a plant
Mushrooms are not plants, but a type of fungus. They have a "plantlike" form, with a stem and cap, and even cell walls. However, this is just the "flower or fruit" of the mushroom, the part that releases spores. The spores are like seeds, but much smaller, and they develop in the pores or gills found underneath the mushroom's top. When spores disperse into the wind or through other methods, such as animal feeding, they will germinate if they touch a suitable surface, like soil or wood. This then grows into a network of microscopic root threads called mycelium.
The mycelium is the part of the fungus that draws nutrition and produces its annual crop of mushrooms. The mushroom itself does not live for very long. Mushrooms are saprophytes, meaning they obtain their nutrition from metabolizing non-living organic matter. They do not make their own food, as plants do through photosynthesis, because they contain no chlorophyll. Instead, the underground part of the fungus uses enzymes to "digest" other substances that it can use as food.
Mushrooms often grow in association with plants, attaching to the side of a tree, for example, or growing out of a dead log as it decays. They are important in helping to "recycle" nutrients and break down dead plant materials. Mushrooms are typically categorized as club fungi, which produce reproductive structures known as basidiocarps. The most common species of mushroom is Agaricus bisporus, which includes varieties like the button mushroom, portobello mushroom, and cremini mushrooms.
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Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants
Mushrooms are a form of fungi, and not plants. They have a ""plantlike" shape, with a stem and cap, and cell walls. However, mushrooms are not plants because they do not make their own food. Plants use photosynthesis to make food, whereas mushrooms use enzymes to "digest" other substances as food. Mushrooms also lack chlorophyll, which is a unifying feature of plants.
Fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants. In 1998, scientists discovered that fungi split from animals about 1.538 billion years ago, whereas plants split from animals about 1.547 billion years ago. This means that fungi split from animals 9 million years after plants did, making fungi more closely related to animals. Computational phylogenetics comparing eukaryotes also revealed that fungi are more closely related to us than to plants. Fungi and animals form a clade called opisthokonta, which is named after a single, posterior flagellum present in their last common ancestor. This posterior flagellum propels primitive fungal spores and animal sperm.
The last common ancestor of plants, fungi, and animals was earlier than the last common ancestor of fungi and animals. This means that fungi and animals are equally related to plants. However, the difference between plants and fungi may be so large that plants are genetically closer to animals than they are to fungi.
For much of scientific history, fungi were classified as plants. Early taxonomists determined that fungi were immobile and had rigid cell walls, which were sufficient characteristics to determine that fungi were not animals and to group them with plants. However, these classifications were based on perceived observable similarities rather than "relatedness" in a modern genetic sense.
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Mushrooms don't have chlorophyll and must take nutrients from other materials
Mushrooms are a form of fungi, which are neither plants nor animals. They have a “plantlike" form, with a stem and cap, and cell walls. However, they do not contain chlorophyll and are not able to make their own food through photosynthesis like plants do. Instead, they secrete digestive enzymes and then absorb nutrients from their surroundings. This is known as saprophytism.
Mushrooms are the reproductive structure, or "flower or fruit", of fungi. They produce spores instead of seeds, and these spores are dispersed into the wind or through other methods like animal feeding. When spores land on a suitable surface, they germinate and develop into a network of microscopic root threads called mycelium, which draws nutrition from its surroundings and produces mushrooms.
Fungi have a unique mode of acquiring nutrients, which distinguishes them from plants. While plants contain chlorophyll and make their own food through photosynthesis, fungi lack chlorophyll and exist on decaying organic matter in nature. They obtain their nutrition by metabolizing non-living organic matter or, in some cases, by parasitizing living tissues.
The study of fungi, or mycology, initially arose as a branch of botany because fungi were considered primitive plants. However, fungi are now accepted as a separate kingdom, distinct from both plants and animals. This classification is based on their cellular organization, including the presence of chitin and ergosterol, rather than cellulose and cholesterol found in plants and animals, respectively.
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Mushrooms produce spores, not seeds
While mushrooms may have a "plantlike" form, with a stem and cap, they are not plants. Mushrooms are a type of fungi. The part of the mushroom that we can see is the reproductive organ that releases spores. This is similar to the function of a plant's fruit, but instead of seeds, mushrooms generate spores.
These spores are released from the gills of the mushroom and travel along wind currents. They can also be dispersed through other methods, such as animal feeding. When spores land in a moist place, they germinate. Each spore then grows a network of fine threads called hyphae, which spread over and through the food. The hyphae release chemicals that break down the food, and the digested nutrients are then absorbed by the growing fungus.
Mushroom spores only contain half the genetic material required to create a new fungus. Therefore, two spores of the same type of fungus must meet and fuse to create a new mushroom-producing fungus.
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Some mushrooms are edible, some are poisonous
Mushrooms are a type of fungus with a "plant-like" shape, including a stem and cap. They are not plants because they don't make their own food through photosynthesis. Instead, they obtain nutrition from metabolizing non-living organic matter.
While some mushrooms are edible, many are poisonous and can cause a range of symptoms, from mild nausea and vomiting to life-threatening seizures or liver failure. It is often difficult to tell the difference between edible and poisonous mushrooms, as they may look very similar. Therefore, it is important to follow certain guidelines to avoid consuming toxic varieties.
One rule of thumb is to avoid mushrooms with white gills, a skirt or ring on the stem, and a bulbous or sack-like base called a volva. This includes the deadly Amanita family, which can cause seizures and even death. It is also recommended to stay away from mushrooms with any red on the cap, stem, or pores, as these are likely poisonous.
When identifying edible mushrooms, it is important to be cautious. Some recommended edible varieties include the Giant Puffball (when fresh and completely white inside), the Yellow Morel (Morchella americana), the Beefsteak Fungus, the Porcelain Fungus, and the Hedgehog Fungus. However, it is crucial to remember that individual sensitivities may vary, and even edible mushrooms can cause allergic reactions in certain individuals.
In summary, while some mushrooms are safe to consume, many are toxic and can cause serious harm. It is essential to be able to identify edible varieties correctly and to seek further information and guidance before consuming any wild mushrooms.
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Frequently asked questions
No, mushrooms are not plants. They are fungi and constitute their own kingdom.
Mushrooms lack chlorophyll and have to take nutrients from other materials. They have cell walls made rigid with chitin, whereas plants have cellulose.
For much of scientific history, fungi were considered a part of botany and were classified as plants. This is due to their similar growth patterns and appearance.
Fungi, including mushrooms, are more closely related to animals than plants.
No, not all mushrooms are edible. Some are edible, some are poisonous, and some are unpalatable.
