The Kingdom of Mushrooms

The science of mycology is studying the kingdom of mushrooms. The period of its appearance is the end of the nineteenth century.

The kingdom of mushrooms is a special form of life that can exist in a wide range of different conditions. It includes a large and very common group of natural organisms bearing the signs of both animals and plants.

Mushrooms appeared on Earth more than a billion years ago. Gradually, this form of life has become an integral part of all existing on the planet ecosystems. The general characteristic of the kingdom of fungi is characterized by a great ecological and biological diversity of species. According to the available data, on the planet there are from one hundred to two hundred and fifty thousand different representatives of this form of life. Scientists described only five percent of them.

The kingdom of fungi exists on land, in the air, and also in water. This form of life performs in the biosphere of the planet one of the most important functions, producing the decomposition of all kinds of organic substances. Some types of fungi find their application for food and household purposes. These living organisms are also used in the production of medical preparations.

Before the onset of mycology, the fungi were referred to the plant kingdom. Together with bacteria, algae and lichens, they belonged to the lower division. Further study of these groups required them to be distributed according to another, newer classification system.

Mushrooms, unlike plants, are devoid of chlorophyll, necessary for the process of photosynthesis. Because of this, by analogy with animals, this form of life feeds on organic substances obtained from outside.

The kingdom of fungi justifies its isolation from a group of plants due to the unique abilities of its constituent living organisms. Virtually all representatives of this form of life have a mycelium or a filamentary system. It is with its help and there is the absorption of nutrients. The filaments of fungi are called hyphae. They are necessary not only for nutrition, but also for the formation of special reproductive fruiting bodies, on the surface or inside which there are spores.

Mycology divides mushrooms into different species. Classification of this kingdom is made by the type of dispute and the structure of the spore-bearing elements that belong to this form of life.

In nature there are fungi of different sizes. Their range is from microscopic unicellular forms (yeast) to significant specimens having a diameter of the fruit body exceeding fifty centimeters.

In its structure, representatives of the kingdom of mushrooms have a wide enough variety. Soil types of these organisms often grow in symbiosis with the roots of trees, forming at the same time mycorrhiza. Fungi mineralize organic substances, forming humus. Some representatives of the soil form of life contribute to the destruction of forest litter. Predatory organisms parasitize plants and animals and capture small roundworms.

The kingdom of mushrooms has a significant influence on the circulation of natural elements. Thanks to the representatives of this life form, the decomposition of animals and plant remains occurs. This complex process is carried out by the mushrooms, belonging to the group of saprophytes. For example, they include many govorushki.

Some mushrooms are rich in an enzyme device that produces biologically active substances. These properties find application in the processes of clarification of fruit juices, in the processing of raw materials and coarse fodder, as well as in the hydrolysis of proteins and starch. Black mold mildew in industrial production is used to produce citric acid.

However, not all representatives benefit. Mushrooms can cause great damage to forestry by parasitizing trees and causing their defeat. Also this form of life can cause various diseases in people (dermatitis, scab, ringworm).