Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things, like plants and animals, but they're different. They include mushrooms, mold, and yeast. Instead of making their own food like plants do, fungi get their food by breaking down other plants and animals.

Question 2

Where do fungi grow?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can grow almost anywhere! They often like damp, dark places like under leaves or in the soil, but they can also be found on trees, food, or even in your refrigerator if food goes bad.

Question 3

Why are fungi important?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are important because they help break down dead plants and animals, turning them into nutrients that help other plants grow. Without fungi, we would have too much waste on the ground!

Question 4

Can we eat fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we can eat some fungi, like mushrooms! But it's important to know which ones are safe to eat because some mushrooms can be poisonous.

Question 5

How do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi eat by releasing special chemicals that break down things like leaves and wood. Then, they absorb the nutrients from this broken-down material, much like how we eat food and get energy.

Question 6

What do fungi look like?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can look very different depending on the type. Some have caps and stems like mushrooms, others are fuzzy like mold, and some are even just a single cell, like yeast!

Question 7

Are fungi plants or animals?

Accepted Answer

Fungi aren't quite like plants or animals; they are in a group all by themselves. They don’t make their own food like plants do, and they don’t move around like animals.

Question 8

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi reproduce by making tiny spores, which can travel through the air or water to find new places to grow. It's a bit like how plants spread their seeds to grow new plants.

Question 9

What's mold?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungus that looks fuzzy and grows on things like old bread and fruit. It's one way fungi help break down food and return nutrients to the soil.

Question 10

Why do some mushrooms glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms glow because they have chemicals in them that light up in the dark, like a glow stick. This can be a way to attract insects that help spread their spores to new places.

Question 11

Can fungi be used to make medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can be used to make medicine! For example, penicillin, a common antibiotic, comes from mold. Fungi help discover new helpful drugs for people.

Question 12

Do fungi help make bread?

Accepted Answer

Yes, certain fungi, like yeast, are used to make bread rise. Yeast eats the sugars in the dough and releases gas, which makes the bread fluffy.

Question 13

Why are some mushrooms poisonous?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms are poisonous because they have chemicals that can make animals or people sick if eaten. This is a way to protect themselves from being eaten.

Question 14

How do you know if a mushroom is safe to eat?

Accepted Answer

You should never eat a wild mushroom unless an expert says it's safe. Some mushrooms look alike, but only a few are safe to eat.

Question 15

What's the biggest fungus in the world?

Accepted Answer

The biggest fungus in the world is called the Honey Mushroom, and it lives in a forest in Oregon, USA. It's so big, it covers an area the size of over 1,600 football fields!

Question 16

Do fungi have roots like plants?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don’t have roots like plants, but they have tiny threads called hyphae that spread out to find food. These threads grow through the soil and help the fungus absorb nutrients.

Question 17

Are all fungi colorful like some mushrooms?

Accepted Answer

Not all fungi are colorful. While some mushrooms can be bright red or blue, others might be just plain brown or white. Mold and yeast are often not very colorful.

Question 18

How do fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help plants by providing them with nutrients from the soil and, in return, plants share some of the food they make. This partnership helps both the fungi and the plants grow better.

Question 19

Can fungi harm trees and plants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, sometimes fungi can harm trees and plants by causing diseases. But in many cases, fungi and plants work together in a helpful way.

Question 20

Do fungi only grow on land?

Accepted Answer

Most fungi grow on land, but some can also be found in water. They are very adaptable and can grow in different environments.

The Art and Science of Fungi - 20 FAQs Explained Simply