What are Fungi?

Table of Contents☰

About Fungi:

Fungi, along with Animalia (animals), Plantae (plants), Protista, Archaea/Archaebacteria, and Bacteria or Eubacteria form the six ‘kingdoms’ of biology.
They are eukaryotic organisms; i.e., their cells contain membrane-bound organelles and clearly defined nuclei.
Reproduction: Fungi usually reproduce both sexually and asexually.
Distribution
- Fungi are either terrestrial or aquatic, the latter living in freshwater or marine environments.
- They are found in all temperate and tropical regions of the world where there is sufficient moisture to enable them to grow.
- A few species of fungi live in the Arctic and Antarctic regions, although they are rare and are more often found living in symbiosis with algae in the form of lichens.
Importance of fungi
- They help in breaking down dead organic material, they continue the cycle of nutrients through ecosystems.
- Fungi, as food, play a role in human nutrition in the form of mushrooms.
- They also act as agents of fermentation in the production of bread, cheeses, alcoholic beverages, and numerous other food preparations.
- Secondary metabolites of fungi are used as medicines, such as antibiotics and anticoagulants.

Q1) What are Prokaryotic organisms?

Prokaryotic organisms are a diverse group of microorganisms that lack a true cell nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles. They are known for their simplicity in cellular structure but are incredibly diverse in terms of their metabolic capabilities and ecological roles.

Source: Funga: UN wants us all to say it along with ‘Flora & Fauna’