Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things like mushrooms and molds. They are not plants or animals but a group of their own.

Question 2

Why are fungi important in nature?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help break down dead plants and animals. This process returns nutrients to the soil, which helps plants grow.

Question 3

Do fungi only live on land?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi can live in water too! Some fungi even live inside other plants and animals.

Question 4

Can fungi help plants grow?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi live on roots and help plants absorb water and nutrients. In return, the plants provide food to the fungi.

Question 5

Are all mushrooms fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all mushrooms are a type of fungi. Not all fungi are mushrooms, though; they can be molds or yeasts too.

Question 6

Do fungi make their own food?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi can't make their food like plants do. They get their food by absorbing it from other plants, animals, or the ground.

Question 7

Can fungi be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi can make plants, animals, and even people sick. But most fungi are helpful and play important roles in ecosystems.

Question 8

What do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi eat dead plants and animals by breaking them down. This process is called decomposition.

Question 9

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi spread by releasing tiny spores into the air. These spores grow into new fungi when they land in the right spot.

Question 10

Why do mushrooms pop up overnight?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can grow very quickly because they absorb water and nutrients fast. When conditions are right, they seem to appear overnight!

Question 11

Do fungi need sunlight?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi don't need sunlight because they don't make their food like plants. They can grow in dark places.

Question 12

Can fungi live in cold places?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi can grow even in cold places like the Arctic. They have special ways to survive in different conditions.

Question 13

What are lichens?

Accepted Answer

Lichens are a partnership between fungi and tiny plants called algae. They grow on rocks and trees and can live in tough conditions.

Question 14

Why is mold a type of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungi because it grows by spreading spores and eats by decomposing materials. It's just a fuzzy kind of fungi.

Question 15

How do fungi help the soil?

Accepted Answer

Fungi break down dead plants and animals, adding nutrients back to the soil. This makes the soil rich and good for growing plants.

Question 16

Can fungi move?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don't move like animals, but they grow and spread through spores. These spores grow into new fungi in different places.

Question 17

Are fungi older than dinosaurs?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi have been around for hundreds of millions of years, even before dinosaurs existed!

Question 18

Can fungi help animals?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some animals eat fungi, like mushrooms, as part of their diet. Fungi also create healthy environments for animals to live in.

Question 19

Do fungi only grow on dead things?

Accepted Answer

Mostly, fungi grow on dead things to decompose them. However, some fungi can also form partnerships with living plants.

Question 20

How do scientists study fungi?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study fungi by looking at them under a microscope, growing them in labs, and studying their effects on the environment.

The Impact of Fungi on Ecosystems - 20 FAQs Explained Simply