Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things like mushrooms, mold, and yeast. They are different from plants and animals but help nature by breaking down dead things.

Question 2

Do fungi grow everywhere?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can grow almost anywhere, like in the ground, on trees, and even inside our homes. They just need a bit of moisture and food to thrive.

Question 3

Why do mushrooms have caps?

Accepted Answer

The cap of a mushroom is like an umbrella that holds tiny parts called spores. These spores help mushrooms make more mushrooms!

Question 4

Are all mushrooms safe to eat?

Accepted Answer

No, not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Some are poisonous and can make you sick, so it’s important to only eat mushrooms that adults know are okay.

Question 5

What do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi eat by breaking down things like dead leaves, wood, and food scraps. They help turn them into soil that plants can use.

Question 6

How do fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help plants by connecting to their roots and giving them nutrients. In return, plants share food with fungi, so they both help each other grow.

Question 7

Why are fungi important?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are important because they help recycle nutrients in the environment. They break down dead things and turn them into something helpful for new plants.

Question 8

Can fungi move?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can't move like animals, but they can spread by growing or releasing tiny spores that float in the air to new places.

Question 9

What is mold?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungus that often looks fuzzy and grows on old food or in damp places. It helps decompose things, but it can also spoil our food.

Question 10

How do mushrooms grow?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms grow from tiny spores that land in a good spot with enough food and moisture. They start small and can pop up quickly, especially after rain.

Question 11

Do fungi have seeds?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don’t have seeds like plants do. Instead, they use spores to spread and grow new fungi.

Question 12

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi reproduce by releasing spores into the air. When these spores land in the right place, new fungi can start to grow.

Question 13

Are yeast and mushrooms the same?

Accepted Answer

Yeast and mushrooms are both fungi, but they look different. Yeast is tiny and helps bake bread, while mushrooms are bigger and have stems and caps.

Question 14

What are fungi used for?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are used for many things, like making bread rise, making medicines, and even in some cheeses. People have found lots of helpful uses for fungi.

Question 15

What do fungi look like?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can look very different. Some are tiny like yeast, some are fuzzy like mold, and others have shapes like mushrooms with caps and stems.

Question 16

Why do mushrooms grow in circles?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms often grow in circles called fairy rings because the fungus underground grows out in a round shape, sending up mushrooms around the edge.

Question 17

Can fungi grow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can grow in the dark because they don’t need sunlight like plants do. They get their food from other sources.

Question 18

Are fungi animals?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi are not animals. They are their own kind of living things, different from both plants and animals.

Question 19

How do we know fungi are alive?

Accepted Answer

We know fungi are alive because they grow, eat, and reproduce. They also respond to their environment, just like other living things.

Question 20

What’s the biggest fungus in the world?

Accepted Answer

The biggest fungus is a giant underground one called the 'honey fungus.' It spreads over a huge area and is really old, living underground for thousands of years.

The Fascinating World of Fungi - 20 FAQs Explained Simply