![A collage of five fungi (clockwise from top-left): a mushroom with a flat, red top with white-spots, and a white stem growing on the ground; a red cup-shaped fungus growing on wood; a stack of green and white moldy bread slices on a plate; a microscopic, spherical grey semitransparent cell, with a smaller spherical cell beside it; a microscopic view of an elongated cellular structure shaped like a microphone, attached to the larger end is a number of smaller roughly circular elements that collectively form a mass around it](https://i0.wp.com/kingdomofjoga.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/290px-Fungi_collage.jpg?w=678&ssl=1)
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/ˈfʌŋɡəs/
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*plural* –>
fungi / funguses*
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“FUNGUS TYPES” –>
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(latin for “mushroom”)
(from the greek word for “sponge”)
(though i think the ‘sponge’ is now considered an ‘animal’)
(in any case, ‘fungi’ are not considered “plants”)
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(a fungus is any member of the group of ‘eukaryotic organisms’ that includes ‘unicellular microorganisms’ such as ‘yeasts’ + ‘molds’, as well as ‘multi-cellular fungi’ that produce familiar fruiting forms such as ‘mushrooms’ + ‘bracket fungi’)
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(these organisms are classified as a ‘kingdom’, Fungi, which is separate from the other eukaryotic life kingdoms of ‘plants’ and ‘animals’)
(a characteristic that places ‘fungi’ in a different kingdom from ‘plants’, ‘bacteria’, and some ‘protists’, is ‘chitin’ in their ‘cell walls’)
(similar to ‘animals’, ‘fungi’ are ‘heterotrophs’; they acquire their food by absorbing dissolved molecules, typically by secreting ‘digestive enzymes’ into their environment)
(‘fungi’ do not ‘photo-synthesize’)
(‘growth’ is their means of mobility, except for ‘spores’ (a few of which are ‘flagellated’), which may travel through the ‘air’ or ‘water’)
(‘fungi’ are the principal decomposers in ‘ecological systems’)
(these and other differences place ‘fungi’ in a single group of related ‘organisms’, named the Eumycota (true fungi or Eumycetes), which share a ‘common ancestor’ (form a monophyletic group), an interpretation that is also strongly supported by ‘molecular phylogenetics’)
(this ‘fungal group’ is distinct from the structurally similar ‘myxomycetes’ (‘slime molds’) and ‘oomycetes’ (‘water molds’))
(the discipline of ‘biology’ devoted to the study of ‘fungi’ is known as ‘mycology’ (from the Greek μύκης, mukēs, meaning “fungus”))
(in the past, ‘mycology’ was regarded as a branch of ‘botany’, although it is now known ‘fungi’ are genetically more closely related to ‘animals’ than to ‘plants’)
(abundant worldwide, most ‘fungi’ are inconspicuous because of the small size of their structures, and their cryptic lifestyles in ‘soil’ or on ‘dead matter’)
(‘fungi’ include ‘symbionts’ of ‘plants’, ‘animals’, or other ‘fungi’ and also ‘parasites’)
(they may become noticeable when ‘fruiting’, either as ‘mushrooms’ or as ‘molds’)
(‘fungi’ perform an essential role in the decomposition of ‘organic matter’ and have fundamental roles in nutrient ‘cycling’ and ‘exchange’ in the environment)
(they have long been used as a direct source of ‘human food’, in the form of ‘mushrooms’ and ‘truffles’; as a leavening agent for ‘bread’; and in the fermentation of various food products, such as ‘wine’, ‘beer’, and ‘soy sauce’)
(since the 1940s, ‘fungi’ have been used for the production of ‘antibiotics’, and, more recently, various ‘enzymes’ produced by ‘fungi’ are used industrially and in ‘detergents’)
(‘fungi’ are also used as ‘biological pesticides’ to control ‘weeds’, ‘plant diseases’, and ‘insect pests’)
(many species produce bioactive compounds called ‘mycotoxins’, such as ‘alkaloids’ and ‘polyketides’, that are toxic to animals including ‘humans’)
(the fruiting structures of a few species contain ‘psychotropic compounds’ and are consumed recreationally or in traditional spiritual ceremonies)
(‘fungi’ can break down manufactured materials and buildings, and become significant pathogens of humans and other animals)
(losses of crops due to ‘fungal diseases’ (e.g., ‘rice blast disease’) or ‘food spoilage’ can have a large impact on human food supplies and local economies)
(the ‘fungus kingdom’ encompasses an enormous diversity of ‘taxa’ with varied ‘ecologies’, ‘life cycle strategies’, and ‘morphologies’ ranging from ‘unicellular aquatic chytrids’ to ‘large mushrooms’)
(however, little is known of the true biodiversity of ‘Kingdom Fungi’, which has been estimated at 1.5 million to 5 million species, with about 5% of these having been formally classified)
(ever since the pioneering 18th and 19th century taxonomical works of ‘Carl Linnaeus’, ‘Christian Hendrik Persoon’, and ‘Elias Magnus Fries’, ‘fungi’ have been classified according to their ‘morphology’ (e.g., characteristics such as ‘spore color’ or ‘microscopic features’) or ‘physiology’)
(advances in ‘molecular genetics’ have opened the way for ‘DNA analysis’ to be incorporated into ‘taxonomy’, which has sometimes challenged the historical groupings based on ‘morphology’ + other traits)
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(‘phylogenetic’ studies published in the last decade have helped reshape the classification within ‘kingdom fungi’, which is divided into…)
*1 ‘subkingdom’*
*7 ‘phyla’*
*10 ‘sub-phyla’*
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💕💝💖💓🖤💙🖤💙🖤💙🖤❤️💚💛🧡❣️💞💔💘❣️🧡💛💚❤️🖤💜🖤💙🖤💙🖤💗💖💝💘
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*🌈✨ *TABLE OF CONTENTS* ✨🌷*
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🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥*we won the war* 🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥