Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things like mushrooms, mold, and yeast. They are not plants or animals, but they have their own group called the fungi kingdom.

Question 2

Where do fungi live?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can live almost anywhere! You can find them in the forest, in the soil, on old bread, and even in the ocean.

Question 3

Are all mushrooms fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all mushrooms are a type of fungi. But not all fungi look like mushrooms!

Question 4

Can fungi be helpful?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can be very helpful. Some fungi help plants grow, and others help us by making bread rise or producing medicine like penicillin.

Question 5

Can fungi be harmful?

Accepted Answer

Sometimes fungi can be harmful. Some can cause diseases in plants, animals, or even humans. Others might spoil food, like mold on bread.

Question 6

How do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don't eat like we do. They absorb nutrients from the environment around them, often by breaking down dead plants and animals.

Question 7

Do fungi need sunlight?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi do not need sunlight like plants do. They get their energy in a different way, from breaking down materials around them.

Question 8

What do fungi look like?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can look like many different things. Some look like mushrooms, some are fluffy like mold, and others are tiny and invisible like yeast.

Question 9

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi reproduce by creating tiny particles called spores. These spores can spread through the air or water to grow into new fungi.

Question 10

Why are mushrooms called fruiting bodies?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms are called fruiting bodies because they are like the 'fruit' of the fungus. They hold the spores, which help the fungi spread.

Question 11

Can we eat all mushrooms?

Accepted Answer

No, not all mushrooms are safe to eat. Some are poisonous and can make you very sick, so it's important not to eat wild mushrooms you aren't sure about.

Question 12

What is mold?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungus that often looks fuzzy or slimy. It can grow on food, walls, and even on clothes if they get wet.

Question 13

How many types of fungi are there?

Accepted Answer

Scientists think there are over a million different types of fungi! But we have only discovered a fraction of them so far.

Question 14

What is yeast?

Accepted Answer

Yeast is a type of fungus that is too small to see without a microscope. It's used to make bread rise and to brew some drinks.

Question 15

Do fungi have roots?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don't have roots like plants do, but they have tiny thread-like structures called hyphae. These help them absorb nutrients.

Question 16

Why do we say fungi decompose things?

Accepted Answer

Fungi decompose things because they break down dead plants and animals. This helps return nutrients back to the soil.

Question 17

What is a mushroom cap?

Accepted Answer

The mushroom cap is the top part of a mushroom. It's usually shaped like an umbrella and holds the spores underneath.

Question 18

Can fungi glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi, called bioluminescent fungi, can glow in the dark. This amazing ability helps them attract insects to spread their spores.

Question 19

What do fungi need to grow?

Accepted Answer

Fungi need a moist environment and organic material to grow. They also need a suitable temperature and space to spread.

Question 20

How do scientists study fungi?

Accepted Answer

Scientists study fungi by observing them in nature, growing them in labs, and looking at them under microscopes. This helps us understand how they live and how we can use them.

The Science of Fungi - 20 FAQs Explained Simply