Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things like mushrooms, molds, and yeast. They are different from plants and animals and have their own way of getting food.

Question 2

Are mushrooms a type of fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, mushrooms are a special type of fungi that grow above ground. They have a cap, stem, and sometimes gills underneath.

Question 3

How do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi absorb nutrients from their surroundings, like a sponge soaking up water. They break down dead plants and animals to get their food.

Question 4

Why are fungi important to ecosystems?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help break down dead stuff, which recycles nutrients back into the soil. This is important because it helps plants grow better.

Question 5

Can fungi be helpful to humans?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi can be very helpful! We use them to make foods like bread and cheese and also in medicines like antibiotics.

Question 6

Are all fungi safe to touch or eat?

Accepted Answer

No, not all fungi are safe. Some fungi can make you sick if you touch or eat them, so it's important to only touch or eat mushrooms you know are safe.

Question 7

Where do fungi grow?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can grow almost anywhere! They like dark, damp places like the forest floor, or even in the food you leave out too long.

Question 8

How do mushrooms reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms spread tiny spores into the air, like seeds from a plant. When these spores land in a good spot, they can grow into new mushrooms.

Question 9

Why do some mushrooms glow in the dark?

Accepted Answer

Some mushrooms glow in the dark to attract insects that can help spread their spores. This glowing is called bioluminescence.

Question 10

What's the biggest fungus?

Accepted Answer

The biggest fungus in the world is a honey fungus in Oregon. It's so big it covers over 2,000 acres of land!

Question 11

How are fungi and plants different?

Accepted Answer

Fungi don't make their own food like plants do because they don't have chlorophyll. Instead, they absorb nutrients from other things.

Question 12

What do fungi look like under a microscope?

Accepted Answer

Under a microscope, fungi look like tiny threads or chains. These threads are called hyphae, and they help the fungus get its food.

Question 13

Can fungi move?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can't move like animals, but their spores can travel through the air. This helps them spread and find new places to grow.

Question 14

Do fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

Yes, many fungi live on plant roots and help them get water and nutrients from the soil. In return, plants give fungi food.

Question 15

Why do mushrooms sometimes grow in circles?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can grow in circles called fairy rings. This happens because the fungus grows outwards in all directions, usually from a single starting point.

Question 16

What's the difference between mold and mushrooms?

Accepted Answer

Mold and mushrooms are both fungi, but mold is fuzzy and usually grows on things like bread, while mushrooms have stems and caps and often grow in the ground.

Question 17

Are fungi more like plants or animals?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are more closely related to animals than plants because they don't make their own food. They also have cells with a structure similar to animals.

Question 18

What colors can mushrooms be?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can be many colors like white, brown, red, yellow, or even blue! The color can help us identify different types of mushrooms.

Question 19

Why do some fungi smell bad?

Accepted Answer

Some fungi smell bad to attract animals that will help spread their spores. The smell acts like a lure so they can travel to new places.

Question 20

Can fungi survive in extreme places?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi can live in very hot or very cold places, even in space! This makes them incredibly adaptable to different environments.

The Science of Fungi: Understanding Mushrooms and Their Roles in Ecosystems - 20 FAQs Explained Simply