Fungi - Occurence, Structure, Characteristics, Importance, Reproduction and Control of Fungal Growth

Fungi are a group of non-green plants such as yeasts, moulds, mushrooms, etc. They do not contain chlorophyll and hence they cannot manufacture their own food. Fungi are either saprophytes or parasites. Saprophytic fungi feed on decaying organic material of dead organism. Parasitic fungi obtain their food from the tissues of living plants and animals. Fungi are unicellular or multi-cellular. The bodies of fungi are not differentiated
into roots, stems and leaves. The study of fungi is called mycology.

Occurrence

Fungi are found in all environments where suitable organic matter is present. They occur at dead organic matter in soil, manures, dung decaying vegetables and fruits, inside the body of animals and plants.

Structure

The plant body of fungi is thallus like, i.e. they do not differentiate into roots, stems and leaves. Although there are some single celled forms such as yeast, but, the majority of fungi are multi-cellular such as mushroom. 

Plant body of mushroom is differentiated into two parts: underground part and aboveground part. The underground part is called mycelium. Mycelium absorbs food from the decaying organic matter. Aboveground part is called fruiting body (basidiocarp). Basidiocarp bears stipe, gills and pileus.

Reproduction of Fungi

Fungi are reproduced by both asexual as well as sexual methods. They mostly reproduce by asexual method by budding, sporulation, fission and fragmentation.

Characteristics of Fungi

• Some common characteristics of fungi are as follows:
• The plant body of fungi is not differentiated into roots, stems and leaves.
• They do not bear chlorophyll.
• They are unicellular or multi-cellular.
• A definite cell wall is present, mainly made up of fungus cellulose and chitin.
• They are heterotrophic nutrition. They may be parasites or saprophytes.
• They reproduce by both asexual as well sexual methods.

 Importance of Fungi

Fungi are both useful as well as harmful to manknd in several ways.

Useful activities of fungi: some useful activities of fungi are as follows:

• A number of mushrooms are edible. Being rich in proteins and vitamins, they have high nutritive value.
• A number of antibiotics are obtained from fungal species such as penicillin is obtained from Penicillium notatum.
• In bakeries, yeast is used for baking of bread.
• In beverages, yeast and Aspergillus niger are used for alcohol production.
• Species of Mucor, Rhizopus, Penicillium and Aspergillus are used for the manufacture of organic acids such as lactic acid, citric acid, oxalic acid and gluconic acid.
• Saprophytic fungi decompose the dead remains of plants and animals returning to the soil and make it fertile.

Harmful activities of fungi: some fungi are harmful to human, other plants and animals in different ways:

• A number of skin diseases are caused by several species of fungi.
• High fever and allergies also result from fungal infection.
• Some plant diseases like blight of potato, rusts in wheat, powdery mildews, white rust of crucifers and smuts in wheat, maize and other cereal crops, are caused by.
• Some species of fungi like rhizopus, mucor, penipcillium, aspergillus, etc cause food spoilage.
• Some species of fungi spoil a variety of articles such as leather goods, clothes, photographic materials, electric equipments, etc in monsoon season.

Control of Fungal Growth

• Fungal growth can be controlled by following ways:
• Fungal growth can be controlled by keeping the milk, fruits, meat, fish and vegetables in cold storage or in low temperature.
• Fungal growth in fruits and vegetables can be controlled by using salt.
• Fungal growth can be controlled by adding sugar. Sugar removes the water from cells and hence prevents the growth of fungi.
• Fungal growth in skin of humans (ring worm) can be controlled by personal cleanliness.
• Fungal growth can be controlled by using fungicides.