Fungi – properties and classification

Fungus is diverse and abundantly present in the environment, different from the categories of plants and animals. Fungus acquires their food by themselves dissolving molecules and secreting digestive enzymes in the environment. It is a microorganism and that is why it cannot be seen with the naked eye. The fungus is seen with the help of the compound microscope. These are multicellular beings that have a cell wall and a distinct nucleus, however, the chloroplast is absent. The mechanism of locomotion is absent in fungi and the largest form of fungi includes mushrooms

Fungi and their properties

Fungus is the principal decomposer of the ecosystem and is made up of thread-like hyphae with nuclei and continuous cytoplasm. Bread mould, Yeast and Toadstool are some of the examples of fungi. Fungus along with bacterias is often being confused however both are different types of the kingdom in the classification of the organisms. They have an important role in nutrient cycling in the ecosystem. They produce both asexually and sexually as they have symbiotic associations both with plants and animals. It can be both single-celled and complex multicellular organisms and can survive in both land and water.

Microbiology, a branch of biology that studies microorganisms with their properties and functions explains the role and importance of fungi in the ecosystem. Fungus is non-vascular, non-motile and heterotrophic organisms that can be both filamentous and unicellular. They also reproduce by the process of spore formation. Since they lack chlorophyll, they cannot perform the food making process of photosynthesis as the plans do.

The most common fungus is bread moulds which are grown in foods like loaves of bread and fruits that can be seen keeping a longer period. Some of the fungi are edible while some are poisonous and some are superficial to the diseases. The microscopic fungi consist of the solitary cells that are reproduced by budding which occurs in the long filaments called hyphae. Fungus is in different shapes and sizes that are heterotrophic and digest their food externally releasing hormones in the immediate surroundings. 

Classification of fungi

The fungus has been classified over some time without many new features and structure composition. Several new varieties and types of fungus are yet not identified and classified. The most recent classification includes the seven types of fungus namely “Basidiomycota, Ascomycota, Glomeromycota, Microsporidia, Blastocladiomycota, Neocallimastigomycota and Chytridiomycota”. However, the classification is very dynamic and is recognised by the hyphal growth that supports the sexual reproduction structures. 

Examples:

• Basidiomycota- Agaricus, Puccinia and Ustilago

• Ascomycota- Cordyceps, morels mushrooms, blue stain tree fungi

• Glomeromycota- Gigaspora margarita

• Microsporidia- Gluegeida

• Blastocladiomycota- pollen, keratin, cellulose, and chitin

• Neocallimastigomycota- Anaeromyces, Caecomyces

• Chytridiomycota- Allomyces, Synchytrium endobioticum, and Neocallimastix

The Basidiomycota are composed of several hyphae and produce sexually while the Ascomycota displays the increased diversity after the stimulation warning.  The Glomeromycota is based on the genome-scale phylogenies which are relatively consistent whereas the Microsporidia promotes the emergence of septicemia. They enter or penetrate the body through the host and thus promote the emergence of septicemia. The Blastocladiomycota undergoes sporadic meiosis as the process of reproduction and thus the fusion of games differs in morphology. 

These are the major phyla of the fungus kingdom and establishes according to the mode of both sexual reproduction and molecular data method. The rapid and continuous advantage in the science and classifications helps in the further classification process. The classification methods are a new approach to the growing science and technology as many new organisms are identified and classified. 

Importance of fungi 

All the microorganisms present in the ecosystem perform specific functions and are thus important in maintaining biodiversity. Likewise, fungus too has economic importance and is functionally active to provide several benefits. Yeast and mushrooms are some of their examples that function to provide several benefits. Fungus is important in producing antibiotics, which stop the growth of other microorganisms inside the body. It is also useful in the industry for proofing endurance to wine, cheese and baking products through the process of fermentation. 

Mushroom cultivation is yet the best example of edible yeast that has high fibre and is rich in nutrients. The processing of curd and cheese are also the benefits of yeast along with providing variant nutrition. However, not all mushrooms are edible as some are variants harmful and can take the lives of individuals. Mushrooms are an excellent source of vitamins and other minerals with a proportionate amount of “biotin, niacin and pantothenic acid”. These nutrients are retained during cooking mushrooms along with canning and dehydration. However, the poisonous mushrooms can be fatal and poisonous and thus buying from a reliable shop remains the most appropriate option for the consumers. 

Conclusion 

Fungus is one of the most prominent microorganisms present in the atmosphere that is usually studied as it brings value to the environment. They are both poisonous and edible as the edible ones contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals that are important for the human body. They share the features of both the plants and the animals but they do not fall under any of these categories.  They have the capacities of both living in the soils and on the plants and also on the people’s skin and inside the body. Fungus mostly feeds on the dead remains of plants and animals and is an excellent source of decomposers producing humus.