Sarah Brown
Mushrooms, like other fungi, rely on their environment to absorb the gases they need. Unlike plants, they lack the complex structures that allow plants to efficiently use sunlight and produce large amounts of energy. Instead, mushrooms must use more flexible methods to absorb gases and gain energy. For example, yeast, a type of fungus, conducts respiration based on the presence of oxygen. When oxygen is available, yeast absorbs it through tiny pores in aerobic respiration. In the absence of oxygen, yeast performs anaerobic respiration, absorbing whatever nutrients it can and causing fermentation. Proper gas exchange is crucial for mushroom cultivation, as mycelium can suffocate and die without it.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Gas Exchange | The mycelium releases gases that have built up inside jars due to metabolic activity. |
| Gas Exchange Holes | Inoculation points double as gas exchange holes. |
| Gas Exchange Mechanism | The mycelium exchanges small amounts of CO2 with the air outside the jar, without completely removing all the gases built up in the jar. |
| Gas Exchange and Fresh Air Exchange | Gas exchange is not the same as fresh air exchange. Gas exchange is the exchange of small amounts of CO2, while fresh air exchange (FAE) is the introduction of completely new gases by removing the pressure built up inside the jar. |
| Gas Exchange and Bacterial Growth | Gas exchange prevents certain forms of bacteria and mold from colonizing inside the jar. |
| Gas Exchange and Yeast | Yeast conducts respiration based on the presence of oxygen. If oxygen and air are available, yeast absorbs oxygen through tiny pores in aerobic respiration. If there is no oxygen present, yeast performs anaerobic respiration, absorbing what nutrients it can and causing fermentation. |
| Gas Exchange and Plant Growth | In a plant cultivation system incorporating a mushroom subsystem, plant growth is promoted by a high level of CO2 resulting from the respiration of the mushroom mycelium. |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms need gas exchange for colonisation
Mushrooms are a type of fungus that grows in a wide variety of environments and living conditions. They do not have the complex structures that plants do, which allow plants to use sunlight efficiently and produce large amounts of energy. Instead, they rely on flexible methods of absorbing the necessary gases and gaining energy from their environment. Fungi, including mushrooms, grow mostly underground, away from sunlight and open atmosphere. However, like plants, they require oxygen for respiration and obtain it through the natural pores in the soil.
Gas exchange is essential for the colonisation phase of mushroom cultivation. During colonisation, mushrooms benefit from higher carbon dioxide (CO2) levels. A rapid decrease in ambient CO2 levels triggers pinning, which is the process of adding fresh air at the same time as full colonisation to ensure a full, even flush. The mycelium, or vegetative part of the mushroom, produces CO2, which needs to be exchanged for fresh air to prevent stalling.
To facilitate gas exchange during colonisation, growers use filter patches on their jars or autoclave bags. These filters allow for the necessary exchange of gases without introducing contamination through holes. While airflow is not required, stale air can cause issues, and it is recommended to use filters and remove any foil coverings to prevent this.
Additionally, light plays a crucial role in mushroom growth. While mushrooms do not use light for directional growth, they turn towards the light as a source of energy. Mushrooms grown with sufficient light tend to be larger and heavier than those grown in darkness. Therefore, providing the proper amount and spectrum of light during the growth and pinning stages is essential for optimal mushroom cultivation.
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Gas exchange is different from fresh air exchange
Gas exchange is a vital process in living organisms, including humans, animals, and fungi. It involves the movement of gases across membranes, particularly the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. While gas exchange is essential, it differs from fresh air exchange in several ways.
In the human body, gas exchange occurs in the alveoli, the small sacs in the lungs, where oxygen is taken into the bloodstream, and carbon dioxide, a waste product of cellular respiration, is removed. This process is driven by partial pressure differences between the gases in the alveoli and the blood in the pulmonary capillaries. The alveolar air composition differs from that of the atmospheric air, with higher levels of water vapour and carbon dioxide, and lower levels of oxygen. This difference in composition is due to the removal of oxygen and the addition of carbon dioxide during gas exchange.
Fresh air exchange, on the other hand, refers to the process of inhaling and exhaling air through the respiratory airways. During inhalation, fresh air containing oxygen flows into the lungs through the nose or mouth, while during exhalation, carbon dioxide is released. This exchange of gases ensures that the composition of the air in the lungs remains relatively constant during the breathing cycle.
In the case of fungi, gas exchange occurs through natural pores in the soil. Fungi absorb oxygen and other gases from the small pockets of air present between soil particles. Some fungi, like yeast, can perform aerobic respiration when oxygen is available, and switch to anaerobic respiration when oxygen is scarce. This flexibility in respiration methods allows fungi to adapt to their environment and access the necessary gases for growth.
Gas exchange and fresh air exchange are also distinct in terms of their mechanisms and structures involved. Gas exchange occurs across membranes, such as the respiratory membrane in humans, or through specialised organs like gills in aquatic organisms. It involves the diffusion of gases based on partial pressure differences and the solubility of the gases. In contrast, fresh air exchange primarily refers to the physical act of inhaling and exhaling, or the movement of air into and out of the body, lungs, or alveoli.
In summary, gas exchange and fresh air exchange are interconnected but distinct processes. Gas exchange refers to the actual movement of gases across membranes, driven by partial pressure differences, while fresh air exchange refers to the inhalation and exhalation of air, ensuring a constant composition of gases in the body or organism.
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Gas exchange is needed to prevent bacteria and mould
Gas exchange is a vital process for most living things, including fungi like mushrooms. It is the process by which gases are exchanged between the interior of a cell and the external environment. This process is essential for respiration in aerobic organisms, which involves taking in oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide.
Fungi, like mushrooms, do not have the complex structures that plants have, allowing them to efficiently utilise sunlight and produce their own energy. Instead, they rely on flexible methods to absorb necessary gases and gain energy from their surroundings. Fungi primarily grow underground, away from sunlight and open air. However, they still require oxygen for respiration and obtain it through the natural pores in the soil.
The need for gas exchange to prevent bacteria and mould is evident in various organisms and their respiratory systems. For example, in mammals, the nasal cavity, lined with ciliated epithelium and goblet cells, warms and humidifies the air while trapping dust, dirt, bacteria, and mould spores through mucus. This protective mechanism prevents these particles from entering the lungs and causing damage or infection.
Additionally, the shape of some organisms, like flatworms, increases their surface area, facilitating gas exchange across their outer membrane. This direct diffusion ensures that each cell within their body has access to oxygen, preventing the growth of anaerobic bacteria and mould, which thrive in oxygen-deprived environments.
Furthermore, gas exchange is crucial in processes like nitrogen fixation and denitrification by certain bacteria. These bacteria exchange nitrogen gas with their environment, either taking it up or releasing it. Efficient gas exchange helps maintain the balance of nitrogen in the ecosystem, preventing the dominance of nitrogen-fixing or denitrifying bacteria, which could disrupt the natural equilibrium.
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Mushrooms exchange gases based on their environment
Mushrooms, like other fungi, do not have the complex structures that plants possess, which allow plants to efficiently use sunlight and produce large amounts of their own energy. Instead, they rely on flexible methods of absorbing the necessary gases and gaining energy from their environment.
Mushrooms absorb oxygen from the air and release carbon dioxide as part of their respiration process. They also release water vapour. This is why high humidity is crucial for their growth. Oyster mushrooms, for example, grow best at a humidity of 75 to 93%, depending on the strain, temperature, and developmental stage.
Oxygen levels impact the growth of mushrooms. Oyster mushrooms grown in high-carbon dioxide environments often develop stretched stems and misshapen caps. However, normal air contains around 21% oxygen, which is more than enough for oyster mushrooms. The problem arises when carbon dioxide builds up. During the most active phase of mycelial growth, carbon dioxide levels in the room can rise to 10,000–20,000 ppm, which can feel stuffy and unpleasant to humans.
Fungi, including mushrooms, exist in a wide variety of environments and living conditions. They grow mostly underground, away from sunlight and open atmospheres where plants grow. Fungi breathe like plants, despite their underground existence, through the natural pores in the soil. The air in the small pockets between soil particles contains everything plants need to absorb from the air, especially oxygen.
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Gas exchange is necessary for mushroom growth
Mushrooms, like other fungi, rely on gas exchange for their growth. Fungi do not have the complex structures that plants possess, which allow plants to efficiently use sunlight and produce large amounts of energy. Instead, fungi absorb the gases they need from their environment. Fungi, including mushrooms, grow mostly underground, away from the sunlight and open atmosphere where plants are typically found. Despite this, they still require oxygen, which they obtain through the natural pores in the soil. These pores contain small pockets of air with the gases necessary for fungal growth, especially oxygen.
Some types of fungi exchange gases depending on their environment. For example, yeast can perform both aerobic and anaerobic respiration. When oxygen is present, yeast absorbs oxygen through tiny pores in aerobic respiration. In the absence of oxygen, yeast performs anaerobic respiration, absorbing whatever nutrients it can and causing fermentation.
Gas exchange is necessary for the growth of mushrooms, as they require oxygen for respiration. The mycelium of mushrooms produces carbon dioxide (CO2) as a byproduct of respiration. Without exchanging this CO2 for fresh air through gas exchange holes, the growth of the mushrooms can stall.
In a closed plant cultivation system incorporating a mushroom cultivation subsystem, the atmospheric CO2 concentration can change significantly due to the respiration rate of the mushrooms. This increase in atmospheric CO2 can promote the growth of plants in the system. Therefore, gas exchange is crucial not only for mushroom growth but also for maintaining the balance of gases in plant-mushroom cultivation systems.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms exchange gases based on their environment. For example, yeast absorbs oxygen through tiny pores in aerobic respiration when oxygen is present.
Yes, colonizing grain spawn needs a gas exchange from the jar. The Mycelium will suffocate, stall, or die without it.
Gas exchange and fresh air exchange are two different things. To ensure proper gas exchange, 3-4 1mm holes in the top of the jars are needed.
Mycelium will colonize faster with less CO2. However, gas exchange must be limited to avoid early pinning and promote colonization.
In the absence of oxygen, mushrooms perform anaerobic respiration, absorbing whatever nutrients they can and causing fermentation in the process.
