Studied by 2 people
Mycorrhizae are enormously important in
natural ecosystems and agriculture.
Ecosystems depend on fungi as
decomposers and symbionts: they decompose food, wood and even plastics.
St Anthonys
Ergot- affects cereal crops: causes gangrene, hallucinations and "________ fire.
Endophytes
________: fungi that live inside leaves or other plant parts.
Truffles:
underground ascocarps of mycelia that are mycorrhizal on tree roots.
Plants harbor
harmless symbiotic endophytes.
Endophytes make
toxins that deter herbivores and defend against pathogens.
Beneficial Effects of Fungi on Humans
Decomposition - nutrient and carbon recycling.
Biosynthetic factories. Can be used to produce drugs, antibiotics, alcohol, acids, food (e.g., fermented products, mushrooms).
Model organisms for biochemical and genetic studies.
Harmful Effects of Fungi on Humans
Destruction of food, lumber, paper, and cloth.
Animal and human diseases (mycosis), including allergies.
Toxins produced by poisonous mushrooms and within food (e.g., grain, cheese, etc.).
Plant diseases.
