Sarah Brown
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, which are a separate kingdom of organisms distinct from both plants and animals. Fungi include yeasts, mildews, moulds, and mushrooms, and are some of the most widely distributed organisms on Earth. They are of great environmental and medical importance, being used for the production of antibiotics and enzymes, as well as biological pesticides. The term mushroom is used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some fungi, typically of the order Agaricales in the phylum Basidiomycota. Mushrooms have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap, which produce microscopic spores to help the fungus spread.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of known species | 144,000 |
| Examples | Yeasts, mildews, molds, mushrooms |
| Distribution | Widely distributed |
| Importance | Environmental and medical |
| Growth | Tips of filaments (hyphae) |
| Digestion | Digest organic matter externally |
| Absorption | Absorb organic matter into their mycelia |
| Misconception | Considered plants |
| Historical classification | Included in the plant kingdom |
| Distinct features | Lack chlorophyll |
| Mushrooms | Umbrella-shaped sporophores |
| Gills | Produce microscopic spores |
| Species | 14,000 |
| Examples | Portobellos, shiitake, morels, truffles |
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What You'll Learn
Mushrooms are a type of fungus
Mushrooms are the most easily recognised type of fungi. The term "mushroom" typically refers to fungi with a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap, which produce microscopic spores to help the fungus spread. However, the term is also loosely used to describe other types of fungi, including polypores, puffballs, jelly fungi, and stinkhorns. There are approximately 14,000 species of mushrooms, and they can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable. Edible mushrooms, such as portobellos, shiitake, and morels, are commercially important and provide essential amino acids and B vitamins.
The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom (Agaricus bisporus), which is a basidiomycete. Basidiomycetes are a type of fungus that produces club-like structures called basidia, which generate haploid basidiospores. The gills of mushrooms facilitate spore dispersal, and these spores are what enable the growth of new mushrooms.
Mushrooms can also exhibit unique shapes and colours, such as the lobster mushroom, which is deformed by the parasitic fungus Hypomyces lactifluorum, giving it a shape and colour resembling a boiled lobster. Some mushrooms, like the honey mushroom (Armillaria mellea), can form large fungal colonies, while others, like the fairy ring mushroom (Amanita alba), create circular patterns of mushrooms known as fairy rings.
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Fungi are distinct from plants and animals
Mushrooms are a type of fungus. Fungi are distinct from plants and animals, constituting their own kingdom of life. Fungi include yeasts, moulds, mushrooms, wood ears or conks, and several other different types of unicellular and multicellular organisms. There are about 144,000 known species of fungi, with some estimates placing the figure at 145,000.
Fungi are also distinct from plants at a cellular level. Fungi and plants both have cell membranes and cell walls. However, plant cell walls are made of cellulose, whereas fungal cell walls are made of chitin, the same substance that makes up the shells of insects. Fungi also lack chlorophyll, which is present in plants.
Fungi are more closely related to animals than to plants. They share a common ancestor in the form of an opisthokont, a cell with a posterior flagellum, similar to human spermatozoids. Current estimates place the most recent common ancestor between animals and fungi at between 1.1 and 1.5 billion years ago. In contrast, fungi and animals share a common ancestor with plants around 1.6 billion years ago.
Fungi have been historically classified as plants, and this misconception persists among the general public. However, modern molecular evidence demonstrates that fungi are more closely related to animals. This classification as a separate kingdom is important, as it affects how we understand and support organisms financially and culturally.
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Fungi are widely distributed and important
Fungi are among the most widely distributed organisms on Earth, with around 144,000 to 148,000 known species. They grow in a wide range of habitats, including extreme environments such as deserts, areas with high salt concentrations or ionizing radiation, and deep sea sediments. Some fungi can even survive the intense UV and cosmic radiation encountered during space travel.
Most fungi are terrestrial, found in all temperate and tropical areas, and a few species live in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, usually as part of lichens. They can also be found in aquatic habitats, such as the chytrid fungi that are parasites of amphibians. Fungi grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up their bodies (mycelia), and they digest organic matter externally before absorbing it. This unique mode of growth and nutrient intake distinguishes them from all other living organisms.
Fungi are of great environmental importance, playing a crucial role in the decomposition of organic matter and nutrient cycling and exchange in the environment. They form symbiotic associations with plants or animals and can also be parasites. Some fungi produce bioactive compounds called mycotoxins, which are toxic to animals and humans.
Fungi have significant medical importance as well. They have been used in the production of antibiotics since the 1940s, and enzymes produced by fungi are now used industrially and in detergents. Several medically important compounds, such as ciclosporin and fusidic acid, are also produced by fungi. Additionally, fungi have been used as model organisms in pivotal discoveries in biology, including the one gene-one enzyme hypothesis.
Fungi are also important in various industries, including food and biotechnology. They are a direct source of human food, such as mushrooms and truffles, and are used in the fermentation of food products like wine, beer, and soy sauce. Fungi-based industries are considered a major part of the growing bioeconomy, with applications in textiles, meat substitution, and fungal biotechnology under development. Many species produce metabolites that are sources of pharmacologically active drugs, including antibiotics like penicillins.
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Mushrooms can be edible or poisonous
Mushrooms are the most well-known members of the Kingdom Fungi, which also includes yeasts, moulds, and rusts. They are distinct from other organisms due to their growth and nutrient intake methods. Fungi grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that constitute their bodies (mycelia), and they externally digest organic matter before absorbing it into their mycelia.
The word "mushroom" is typically used to describe the fleshy fruiting bodies of some Ascomycota, which have a stem (stipe), a cap (pileus), and gills (lamellae) on the underside of the cap. However, the term is also loosely applied to various other gilled fungi, with or without stems. The standard for the name "mushroom" is the cultivated white button mushroom, Agaricus bisporus.
Mushrooms can be edible, poisonous, or unpalatable, and it can be challenging to distinguish between them. While some mushrooms are celebrated as wonderful for beginner foragers, such as the Yellow Morel, others require in-depth knowledge for safe identification, like the Russula family. Correctly identifying wild mushrooms is crucial before assuming their edibility, as confusing poisonous mushrooms with edible ones can have fatal consequences. Some of the deadliest mushrooms, such as the Destroying Angel and the Death Cap (Amanita phalloides), belong to the Amanita family, which has white gills and spores and often grows from a sack-like structure called a volva.
To identify mushrooms, it is essential to consider their macroscopic structure, including their size, shape, texture, and any markings. The presence of gills, pores, or spikes under the cap is also a distinguishing factor. For example, the Jack O'Lantern mushroom has true gills, while the Chanterelle has folds. Additionally, the edibility of some mushrooms depends on their stage of development. Giant puffballs, for instance, are edible when young and fresh, with a white interior, but become inedible as they mature and develop a greenish-brown interior.
Furthermore, even normally edible mushrooms may become dangerous when growing in polluted environments, as they can absorb chemicals, heavy metals, and pollutants such as arsenic and iron, which can reach lethal concentrations. It is also important to consider individual allergies and sensitivities, as some mushrooms can cause allergic reactions or food poisoning if old or improperly stored. Therefore, great care should be taken when consuming any fungus for the first time, and only small quantities should be consumed to mitigate the risk of adverse reactions.
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Fungi have unique modes of growth and nutrition
Fungi are neither plants nor animals; they occupy a unique niche in the biological realm. Fungi are eukaryotic organisms with membrane-bound organelles and distinct nuclei. They are also distinguished by their principal modes of growth and nutrition. Fungi grow from the tips of filaments (hyphae) that make up their bodies (mycelia). This network of mycelia allows fungi to access and absorb nutrients as they grow.
Fungi are heterotrophs, meaning they cannot produce their own food like plants. Instead, they obtain nourishment by absorbing dissolved molecules from their surroundings. They achieve this by releasing digestive enzymes into their environment, which break down organic matter into smaller molecules that the fungi can then absorb. This external digestion and absorption process is unique to fungi and sets them apart from other organisms.
Fungi can obtain nutrients from a wide variety of organic matter, including dead plants, rotting fruit, wood, and even dead animals. They play a crucial role in decomposition and nutrient cycling by breaking down complex organic compounds and releasing essential nutrients that promote the growth of other organisms. This process is vital for maintaining ecosystem health and nutrient exchange.
Fungi have also evolved specialized adaptations in their nutritional strategies, such as lichenization, carnivorous tendencies, and endophytic relationships. These adaptations allow fungi to form symbiotic relationships with plants, aiding in nutrient uptake and enhancing plant health, especially in nutrient-deficient soils.
Additionally, some fungi are parasitic, obtaining nutrients from living organisms, which can lead to diseases in plants, animals, and even humans. Understanding parasitic fungi is crucial for agriculture, medicine, and environmental conservation due to the challenges and threats they pose.
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Frequently asked questions
Mushrooms are a type of fungus, which is a separate kingdom of organisms distinct from plants and animals. Fungi include yeasts, mildews, molds, and mushrooms.
The word "toadstool" first appeared in 14th-century England to refer to a ""stool" for toads, implying an inedible, poisonous fungus. However, there is no scientific distinction between the two terms, and either can be used to describe any fleshy fungus fruiting structure.
The term "mushroom" may be derived from the French word "mousseron," which refers to moss. The Latin word for mushroom is "fungus" (plural: fungi), and the study of fungi is called mycology, from the Greek word for mushroom, "mykēs."
No, not all mushrooms are edible. Some mushrooms, like the panther cap, are highly poisonous. It is important to properly identify mushrooms before consuming them.
Edible mushrooms include portobellos (Agaricus bisporus), shiitake (Lentinula edodes), morels (Morchella, Verpa), and truffles (various Tuber species). These mushrooms are cholesterol-free and contain essential amino acids and B vitamins.
