Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things like plants and animals, but they're a bit different. They include mushrooms, mold, and yeast. They help break down stuff in nature to make soil.

Question 2

Where can we find fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are everywhere! You can find them in soil, on trees, in bread, and even in the air around us. Sometimes, you can see them as mushrooms in the garden.

Question 3

How do mushrooms grow?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms grow from tiny spores, which are like seeds. They like dark, damp places where they can get nutrients from things like dead plants.

Question 4

Why are fungi important for nature?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help break down dead leaves and wood, turning them into soil. This is important because it helps plants grow strong and healthy.

Question 5

Can we eat mushrooms?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many mushrooms are safe and tasty to eat, like the ones you find on pizza or in salads. But some wild mushrooms can be poisonous, so it's important to be careful.

Question 6

How do fungi help make bread?

Accepted Answer

Yeast, a type of fungi, is used to make bread. It helps the bread rise and become fluffy by producing tiny bubbles of gas.

Question 7

What happens if you eat a poisonous mushroom?

Accepted Answer

Eating a poisonous mushroom can make you very sick. That's why we should only eat mushrooms that are safe and come from a store.

Question 8

Are all fungi tiny?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi come in all sizes. Some are tiny and can only be seen under a microscope, while others, like big mushrooms, can be seen easily.

Question 9

How do fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

Fungi form partnerships with plants and help them get nutrients from the soil. In return, the plants give the fungi food they make through photosynthesis.

Question 10

Why do mushrooms grow in circles?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms sometimes grow in circles called fairy rings because the underground part grows evenly outwards in all directions. As it spreads, mushrooms pop up where the circle's edge is.

Question 11

Do fungi have roots?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don't have roots like plants, but they have thread-like parts called mycelium. Mycelium spreads through the soil or material they grow on, helping them find food.

Question 12

What is mold, and why does it grow on food?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungi that grows on old or damp food. It helps to decompose food, but eating moldy food can make you sick.

Question 13

How are fungi used in medicines?

Accepted Answer

Fungi like penicillin are used to make medicines that help fight infections. These medicines work by stopping harmful bacteria from growing.

Question 14

Can fungi glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi can glow in the dark! This glowing is called bioluminescence and happens because of special chemical reactions in the fungi.

Question 15

What are truffles, and why are they expensive?

Accepted Answer

Truffles are a kind of fungi that grow underground and are hard to find. They taste really good, and because they are rare, they can be very expensive.

Question 16

Why do some mushrooms turn colors when you touch them?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms change color when touched because they have special chemicals. This can help them protect themselves from getting eaten by bugs.

Question 17

How do people use fungi to make food other than bread?

Accepted Answer

Fungi like yeast are used to make foods like cheese, yogurt, and soy sauce. They help give these foods their special flavors.

Question 18

What is the biggest fungi in the world?

Accepted Answer

The biggest fungi is called Armillaria, or honey fungus. It covers several acres of land underground and is found in Oregon, USA.

Question 19

Are fungi more like plants or animals?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are more like animals because they can't make their own food like plants do. They have to find food from other sources, like dead plants.

Question 20

Can fungi live in cold places?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can live in very cold places. Some are found in snow and ice, adapting to live in those extreme conditions.

The Science of Fungi and Their Everyday Uses - 20 FAQs Explained Simply