Question 1

What are mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizal fungi are tiny living things that look like threads and live in the soil. They attach themselves to plant roots and help plants grow better.

Question 2

How do mycorrhizal fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

They help plants by giving them nutrients and water from the soil. In return, the plants give the fungi food made from sunlight.

Question 3

Why are mycorrhizal fungi important?

Accepted Answer

They are important because they help plants like trees and flowers grow strong and healthy. They also help keep the soil rich and full of life.

Question 4

Can we see mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

No, we usually can't see them because they are very small and live under the ground. You can only see them if you use a microscope.

Question 5

Do all plants have mycorrhizal fungi?

Accepted Answer

Most plants, like trees and flowers, have a relationship with mycorrhizal fungi. However, some plants do not need them.

Question 6

How do mycorrhizal fungi help the soil?

Accepted Answer

They help the soil by making it healthier and keeping it full of nutrients. This makes it a better home for plants and other living things.

Question 7

Can mycorrhizal fungi help the environment?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they can help the environment by improving soil health and helping plants grow better. This can lead to cleaner air and more food for animals.

Question 8

Do mycorrhizal fungi have any friends?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they work together with plants and other tiny soil creatures like bacteria. Together, they make sure that plants get the nutrients they need.

Question 9

How are mycorrhizal fungi and mushrooms related?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms are like the fruit of some types of fungi, while mycorrhizal fungi are the roots or underground parts. Not all mycorrhizal fungi grow mushrooms, though.

Question 10

What would happen if mycorrhizal fungi disappeared?

Accepted Answer

If they disappeared, many plants would have a hard time growing. This would affect animals who rely on those plants for food and shelter.

Question 11

How do mycorrhizal fungi travel from place to place?

Accepted Answer

They spread through tiny spores in the soil, which can move with the wind or water. Sometimes animals can spread them too.

Question 12

Do mycorrhizal fungi eat anything?

Accepted Answer

Mycorrhizal fungi don’t eat like animals. They get their nutrients from the soil and sugar from the plants they help.

Question 13

How do mycorrhizal fungi find plants to connect with?

Accepted Answer

They grow and stretch out their thin threads in the soil until they find plant roots to attach to. It's like reaching out to hold hands.

Question 14

Can mycorrhizal fungi be used in farming?

Accepted Answer

Yes, farmers sometimes use them to help crops grow better and make the soil healthier. It's a natural way to help plants without using chemicals.

Question 15

What do mycorrhizal fungi look like?

Accepted Answer

They look like long, tiny, and thin threads. They're usually white or pale in color.

Question 16

Do mycorrhizal fungi live all over the world?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they can be found almost anywhere on Earth, in forests, deserts, grasslands, and even in gardens!

Question 17

How long have mycorrhizal fungi been around?

Accepted Answer

They have been around for millions of years, even before dinosaurs. They are some of the Earth's first helpers.

Question 18

Are mycorrhizal fungi living things?

Accepted Answer

Yes, they are living things just like plants and animals. They grow, reproduce, and help other living things survive.

Question 19

How do mycorrhizal fungi affect trees?

Accepted Answer

They help trees get water and nutrients from the soil, helping them grow big and strong. Trees, in turn, provide the fungi with food.

Question 20

Why do mycorrhizal fungi form a network underground?

Accepted Answer

They form a giant network to connect many plants together. This network helps plants share nutrients and stay healthy.

The Fascinating World of Mycorrhizal Fungi: Nature's Underground Network - 20 FAQs Explained Simply