mushrooms prelim 2 part 1

Anaerobic Fermentation

A process where yeast converts glucose into ATP, producing carbon dioxide and alcohol as by-products in the absence of oxygen.

Bread-Making & Fermentation

Yeast ferments sugar into alcohol and CO₂; CO₂ causes bread to rise, while alcohol evaporates during baking.

Pruno

A homemade prison wine made from rotting fruit, sugar, and bread, with yeast from the air aiding fermentation.

Aspergillus oryzae (Koji)

A mold used in fermentation, essential for making miso, soy sauce, and sake.

Umami

A savory taste detected by glutamate receptors; enhanced by fermentation (e.g., mushrooms, soy sauce, cheese).

Rennet

An enzyme traditionally from calf stomachs but now genetically engineered to curdle milk for cheese-making.

Penicillium roqueforti

The mold responsible for blue cheese; its spores grow in air-exposed cheese channels.

Fusarium venenatum

A mold used to produce Quorn, a meat alternative rich in mycoprotein.

Citric Acid Production

Originally from lemons, now mass-produced using Aspergillus niger mold for food and industry.

Pullulan

A fungus-derived polysaccharide used as an edible plastic or gel.

Ergot (Claviceps purpurea)

A fungus that infects rye and wheat, producing toxic alkaloids leading to ergotism.

Ergotism (St. Anthony’s Fire)

Poisoning from ergot-contaminated grain, causing gangrene, convulsions, hallucinations.

Convulsive vs. Gangrenous Ergotism

Symptoms depend on ergot alkaloids; convulsive type affects the nervous system, gangrenous type affects blood circulation.

Albert Hofmann

The Swiss chemist who discovered LSD while studying ergot derivatives in 1943.

LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide)

A psychedelic drug derived from ergot, altering perception and cognition.

Serotonin & LSD

LSD mimics serotonin, affecting mood, perception, and consciousness.

Bicycle Day

April 19, 1943, the first intentional LSD trip, where Hofmann rode his bike home under its effects.

Timothy Leary

A Harvard professor who promoted psychedelic research, famous for “turn on, tune in, drop out.”

Microdosing

Taking sub-perceptual doses of psychedelics (~10 micrograms of LSD) for potential cognitive and emotional benefits.

LSD Legal Status

Classified as a Schedule I drug; illegal to manufacture, buy, or possess in most countries.

Alexander Fleming

Discovered penicillin in 1928 from Penicillium mold.

Penicillin

The first antibiotic, mass-produced by the 1940s, reducing infection-related deaths in WWII.

Beta-Lactam Antibiotics

A class of antibiotics (penicillin, cephalosporins) that inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis.

Antibiotic Resistance

Bacteria evolve resistance due to overuse, incomplete treatments, and use in livestock.

Cyclosporine

An immunosuppressant derived from a soil fungus, critical for organ transplant success.

Ganoderma lucidum (Reishi)

A medicinal mushroom used in herbal medicine for heart health and immunity.

Ophiocordyceps sinensis

A caterpillar fungus from the Himalayas, highly valued for its stamina-boosting properties.

Trametes versicolor (Turkey Tail Fungus)

A medicinal fungus studied for cancer treatment and immune support.

Cordycepin

A compound from Cordyceps fungi, researched for its immunomodulating and energy-boosting effects.

Overharvesting of Cordyceps

The high market demand for Ophiocordyceps sinensis is leading to ecological concerns.

Malassezia

A genus of fungi that is part of the normal skin flora in humans.

Opportunist (in the context of fungal pathogens)

A fungus that causes disease only in individuals with a weakened immune system.

True Pathogen (in the context of fungal pathogens)

A fungus that can cause infection in most people, regardless of their immune status.

Coccidioidomycosis

A fungal disease caused by Coccidioides immitis or Coccidioides posadasii.

Valley Fever

Another name for coccidioidomycosis.

Dermatophytes

Fungi that cause superficial skin infections.

Tinea pedis

Athlete's foot.

Tinea corporis

Ringworm of the body.

Keratin

A tough protein found in skin, hair, and nails that dermatophytes consume.

Ergosterol

A component of fungal cell membranes that is targeted by antifungal drugs.

Yeast

A fungus that grows as single, budding cells.

Alcoholic Fermentation

Anaerobic process by which yeast converts sugars into ethanol and carbon dioxide.

Sumerians

Ancient people who are likely the first inventors of beer.

Egyptians

Ancient people who left documentation of well-established brewing practices.

Hops

Female flowers of the hop plant that give beer a bitter taste and help preserve it.

Malt

Germinated barley used in beer making.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The yeast species used for beer and wine.

Ergot

A disease of wheat and rye caused by the fungus Claviceps purpurea.

Claviceps purpurea

The fungus that causes ergot.

Sclerotium

The hard, resting body of the ergot fungus.

Ergotism

The disease caused by ergot poisoning.

St. Anthony’s Fire

Another name for ergotism.

Ergotamine

A chemical toxin in ergot that can cause gangrenous ergotism.

Ergine

A chemical toxin in ergot that can cause convulsive/psychedelic ergotism.

LSD

Lysergic acid diethylamide, a psychedelic chemical found in ergot.

Albert Hofmann

The Swiss chemist who discovered LSD.

Serotonin

A neurotransmitter that LSD's action resembles.

Anaerobic Fermentation

Metabolic process in which microorganisms convert sugars into acids, gases, or alcohol in the absence of oxygen.

Koji

The mold Aspergillus oryzae, used in Japanese food fermentation.

Aspergillus oryzae

A mold used to ferment soybeans.

Miso

A paste made from soybeans fermented with Aspergillus oryzae.

Umami

A savory taste imparted by glutamate, an amino acid released during koji fermentation.

Soy Sauce

A two-stage fermentation using Aspergillus oryzae and Saccharomyces rouxii.

Rennet

An enzyme used to curdle milk in cheese making.

Penicillium roqueforti

The mold used to make blue cheese.

Penicillin

An antibiotic discovered by Alexander Fleming, produced by Penicillium molds.

Alexander Fleming

Discoverer of penicillin.

Penicillium

A genus of fungi, some species of which produce penicillin.

Beta-lactam antibiotic

A class of antibiotics that inhibit cell wall formation in bacteria.

Antibiotic resistance

The ability of bacteria to evolve resistance to antibiotics.

Cyclosporine

An immune suppressant drug extracted from a mold.

Reishi

A medicinal mushroom, Ganoderma lucidum.

Ganoderma lucidum

The reishi mushroom.