Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things, like mushrooms, molds, and yeast. They are not plants or animals, but they have their own special group.

Question 2

Where do fungi live?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can live almost anywhere, like in soil, on trees, and even in your house. They just need a bit of moisture to grow.

Question 3

Why are fungi important?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help break down dead plants and animals so the nutrients can go back into the soil. They also help plants get the nutrients they need.

Question 4

Can you eat fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi like mushrooms are delicious and safe to eat. But remember, not all mushrooms are safe, so don’t eat wild mushrooms unless an adult says they’re okay.

Question 5

How do fungi grow?

Accepted Answer

Fungi grow from tiny spores, kind of like the seeds of plants. When a spore lands in a good spot with enough food and water, it can grow into a new fungus.

Question 6

What's the largest fungus in the world?

Accepted Answer

The largest fungus is a honey mushroom in Oregon that covers over 2,000 acres! It's mostly underground, spreading by long fibers.

Question 7

How do mushrooms help plants?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms connect to plant roots and help them get water and nutrients. In return, the plants give the mushrooms some food.

Question 8

Are all fungi mushrooms?

Accepted Answer

No, not all fungi are mushrooms. There are many types of fungi, including molds and yeasts.

Question 9

Do fungi need sunlight to grow?

Accepted Answer

Unlike plants, fungi do not need sunlight to grow. They get their food from other things, like dead plants and animals.

Question 10

Why do mushrooms pop up so fast?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can grow very quickly because they're made mostly of water. When conditions are just right, like after it rains, they can appear almost overnight.

Question 11

What do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi break down and eat dead plants, trees, and even some foods. They absorb nutrients through their cells.

Question 12

Can fungi be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Some fungi can make you sick, like moldy bread. Others can cause infections, but most fungi are not harmful and are actually helpful.

Question 13

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can reproduce by sending out spores that travel in the air. These spores can grow into new fungi if they land in the right place.

Question 14

What is mold?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungus that grows on old food, damp walls, and other places with moisture. It often looks fuzzy or slimy.

Question 15

Why do some fungi glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Some fungi can glow due to a chemical reaction in their bodies. This might help attract insects that spread their spores.

Question 16

Can fungi be used as medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi are used to make some medicines, like penicillin, which helps fight bacteria and infections.

Question 17

What is yeast?

Accepted Answer

Yeast is a tiny fungus used to make bread and other foods rise. It helps make bread fluffy by producing little bubbles of gas.

Question 18

How do scientists study fungi?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study fungi by observing them under microscopes, growing them in labs, and seeing how they interact with their environments.

Question 19

What colors can mushrooms be?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can be lots of different colors! They can be white, brown, red, yellow, or even blue, depending on the type.

Question 20

Why are some mushrooms poisonous?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms make toxins to protect themselves from animals and bugs that might want to eat them. These toxins can make people sick if they eat them.

The Marvelous World of Fungi - 20 FAQs Explained Simply