Question 1

What are fungi?

Accepted Answer

Fungi are living things that are like plants but don't make their own food. They include mushrooms, molds, and yeasts.

Question 2

Where can fungi be found?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can be found almost everywhere! They grow on trees, in the soil, and even on food that's starting to rot.

Question 3

How do fungi help the environment?

Accepted Answer

Fungi break down dead plants and animals, turning them into nutrients for the soil. This helps new plants grow.

Question 4

Are all mushrooms fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, all mushrooms are a type of fungi. They are just one of the many kinds that exist.

Question 5

Can fungi be eaten?

Accepted Answer

Yes, some fungi, like many mushrooms, are safe and tasty to eat. But be careful, because some fungi can make you sick.

Question 6

What is the biggest living thing in the world?

Accepted Answer

The biggest living thing on land is a fungus! It's a giant underground network in Oregon that's really, really big.

Question 7

Do fungi have their own kingdom?

Accepted Answer

Yes! Fungi have their own special kingdom, just like animals and plants. It's called the Fungi Kingdom.

Question 8

How do fungi grow?

Accepted Answer

Fungi grow by spreading tiny spores into the air, which are like seeds. When they land on a good spot, they start to grow.

Question 9

Can fungi make people sick?

Accepted Answer

Some fungi can make people sick if they eat or breathe them in, like certain molds. It's important to be careful around unknown fungi.

Question 10

How do fungi help plants?

Accepted Answer

Fungi help plants by living around their roots and bringing them water and nutrients from the soil. In return, plants give fungi food.

Question 11

What is mold?

Accepted Answer

Mold is a type of fungus that grows in damp places. It can be different colors and looks fuzzy or slimy.

Question 12

Can fungi be used in medicine?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi are very useful in making medicine. For example, penicillin, an important antibiotic, is made from a mold.

Question 13

Do fungi have stems and leaves?

Accepted Answer

No, fungi don't have stems or leaves like plants. They have different parts, like mushrooms have caps and stems, but they're not the same as plant stems and leaves.

Question 14

How do fungi eat?

Accepted Answer

Fungi eat by absorbing nutrients from other things around them, like decaying plants and animals. They don't have mouths, so they absorb food through their cell walls.

Question 15

Are fungi alive?

Accepted Answer

Yes, fungi are alive! They grow, eat, and reproduce just like other living things.

Question 16

What colors can mushrooms be?

Accepted Answer

Mushrooms can be many different colors, like brown, white, red, or even purple! Some can be brightly colored to warn that they're not good to eat.

Question 17

How do fungi reproduce?

Accepted Answer

Fungi reproduce by making spores, which are tiny and can float in the air. These spores land and grow into new fungi.

Question 18

Are there good fungi and bad fungi?

Accepted Answer

Yes, there are good fungi that help the environment and can be eaten, and there are bad fungi that can make us sick or spoil our food.

Question 19

Can fungi move?

Accepted Answer

Fungi can't move around like animals, but they can spread and grow into new areas by sending out spores.

Question 20

What's special about yeast?

Accepted Answer

Yeast is a special type of fungus that we use to make bread rise and to brew drinks like beer. It's tiny and works by producing gas bubbles that help dough puff up.

The Wonders of Fungi: Life, Ecology, and Medicinal Uses - 20 FAQs Explained Simply