Gourt > Science > Biology > Flora and Fauna > Fungi (440)
A fungus (plural fungi) is a eukaryotic organism that digests its food externally and absorbs the nutrient molecules into its cells. Fungi are used extensively by humans: yeasts are responsible for fermentation of beer and bread, and mushroom farming is a large industry in many countries. Fungi are the primary decomposers of dead plant and animal matter in many ecosystems, and are commonly seen on old bread as mold. However, the complex biology of fungi extends beyond this common knowledge and experience of them.
Phylogeny of fungi
Fungi were originally classified as plants, however have since been seperated as they are heterotrophs. This means they do not fix their own carbon through photosynthesis, but use carbon fixed by other organisms for metabolism. Fungi are now thought to be more closely related to animals than to plants, and are placed with animals in the monophyletic group of opisthokonts. Fungi absorb their food while animals ingest it, and their cells have cell walls. For these reasons, these organisms are placed in their own kingdom, Fungi.
The Fungi are a monophyletic group, meaning all varieties of fungi come from a common ancestor. Mycologists believe they are monophyletic because they have chitin in their cell walls, they are absorbtive heterotrophs, along with other shared characteristics.
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Mushrooms :: Wildlife
Fungal :: Eukaryotic
Microbiology :: Biology
Mycology :: Biology
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CABI Bioscience Databases: Index Fungorum - Searchable taxonomic databases of the fungi.
Fungi of Poland - Photographs and description of thousands species of macrofungi growing in Poland and Central Europe. Includes a determination key. In English and Polish.
Meta Description: [ Atlas grzybów Polski (Fungi and Mushrooms of Poland, keys, photographs, descriptions) - klucze, opisy i fotografie. Przewodnik po grzybach, nauka rozpoznawania gatunków. Jak zbierać i przyrządzać, co i jak można znaleźć w przeciągu roku podczas spacerow i grzybobrań. ]
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Meta Description: [ Photographs of the Mushrooms and other Fungi of Tena Valley, Spain ]
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Zoosporic Fungi Online - Resource of information on zoosporic fungi, which includes chytrids, oomycetes, labyrinthulids, and other protists. Contains glossary, photos, how to isolate and maintain these organisms in culture, current publications, job listings, and related links.
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| David Attenborough demonstrates the brief but incredible life of fungi in a wood. From the BBC. ... | |
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