Types of fungi

Within the Fungi kingdomwe find what we generally call fungi, but in reality there are several types of living and eukaryotic organisms, such as yeasts, molds and mushrooms. And although in general when we talk about them we can fall into the error of confusing mushrooms with fungi it is important to know that if there is a clear difference: the fungus is underground while the mushroom is the visible part of the fungus. In addition, generally, The mushrooms They are edible, hence they are also called edible fungi. Therefore, we will find microscopic fungi under the surface that, far from fructifying, remain underground to enrich the soil or can become an inconvenience for other living beings.

In this article we explain the difference between fungus and mushroom.

Similarly, we differentiate the yeasts and molds of fungi and mushrooms, although they fulfill similar functions as degradation agents of other organic and inorganic compounds. In the case of The yeasts We talk about unicellular beings with asexual reproduction and that are used in fermentation processes in the food industry. On the other hand, The molds They are multicellular organisms that can also be used to produce drugs. We recommend you learn more on the subject of yeasts: what are, types and examples reading this other post.

With these clear differences between the different organisms that make up the kingdom of fungi, we will now talk about its main characteristics.

• The fungi are eukaryotic beingstherefore, they approach more, evolutionarily speaking, to the kingdom of animals than to the plants. However, fungi also does not have senses or locomotor system, so they cannot interact so directly with the world around them. Here you can read about the difference between eukaryotic and prokaryotic cell.
• They do not have an autotrophic nutrition, as with plants. Instead the fungi perform a heterotroph nutrition which is based on food absorption. Know here more about heterotrophic organisms: what are, characteristics and examples.
• The cellular composition of fungi has developed a cell wall that, instead of being composed of cellulose, as with plants, is made up of chitina. The chitina It is a substance used in many animals for the creation of protective covers. An example of the presence of chitina is found in the shells of animals.
• The kingdom of fungi is so wide that we can talk about microscopic or unicellular fungi and macroscopic or multicellular fungi. These can be found on the earth’s surface, under water or as parasites of plants and animals. In fact, we can also find them in a symbiotic association with algae or plants to give rise to those known as lichens. Know here more about what are the lichens and their types.
• The main function of fungi is that of decompose organic matter. Although they can also serve as food for numerous animal species where, obviously, the human being is also included.

Discover much more about the Fungi Kingdom: what is, characteristics, classification and examples reading this other ecology article.

The fungi that belong to this edge, also known as QUITRIDIOSThey are the more primitive coming to appear until more than 500 million years ago. Mostly, removal are fungi mainly aquatic and unicellular. In addition, its reproduction is asexual, resulting in mobile zoospores or spores.

Within this edge we find more than 1,060 species of Zigomicio fungias well as Several molds They grow on foods such as vegetables, fruits or breads. Hence, the vast majority of the decomposition of organic matter.

However, we can also find zigomicostic fungi as parasites of some insects. These fungi are reproduced in a asexual way by creating sporangiospores, although they can also reproduce sexually if they are in unfavorable conditions. Moreover, some fungi of this edge are capable of surviving in a medium without oxygen.

The Ascomycetes They are those fungi that are characterized by having a kind of bag or sack where haploid Ascospores are stored resulting from their sexual reproduction, although they also reproduce by fission.

In addition, this is the most numerous edge in the Fungi kingdom With more than 64,000 species. There are also some yeasts used for the elaboration of fermented products, such as beer, wine or sake. Similarly, although to a lesser extent, there are also parasitic fungi within this edge that can cause serious pulmonary conditions.

We recommend you read this article about what ascomycetes are: characteristics and examples.

These types of fungi are generally like Plant and insect parasites. In addition, they are composed of hyphae and have mycelium of two types: the primary mycelium formed by uninucleated cells and secondary mycelium constituted by dicariotic cells.

Within this edge are the Platform fungiwhich are those that grow and develop in the trees cortex, the so -called imperfect fungi or deuteromycota and The lichensthose fungi that arise from symbiosis with an algae or plant.

Here you can know what deuteromycetes are: characteristics and examples.

Fungi may have asexual reproduction and sexual reproduction. In the case of fungi with asexual reproduction, they use their haploid hyphae to perform the myitosis that gives rise to the spores called conidia, also known as conidiospores. However, when two haploid hyphae results in diploid hyphae and, therefore, basidium or rough spores are created, we talk about sexual reproduction. Know more about what are the spores with this post.

Therefore, all types of fungi, except Deuteromycota or imperfect, reproduce sexually. Only the lower aquatic fungi or fictions (which are part of the Deuteromycota) reproduce asexually. To finish understanding more about the subject, we recommend you read this other article about asexual reproduction: what is, types and examples.

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