Lesson 2 What Are Fungi

Fungi

There are at least 99,000 known species of fungi in the world, and scientists call up that there are at least 1.5 meg species total. For a time, fungi befuddled taxonomists (the scientists who drop everything into groups). First placed with the plants, fungi have since been given their ain "kingdom" to rule. This is because although their structures deport some resemblance to plants, they don't photosynthesize, and their prison cell walls are composed of chitin (the same substance found in the exoskeletons of insects) rather than lignin like plants.

Fungi Life Bike
Fungi beginning life as tiny spores. When a spore lands on favorable real estate (depending upon the species this might be a piece of bread, a fallen log, or a pile of leaves) it sends out a thin, pilus-like tube chosen a hypha (plural hyphae). The hypha secretes enzymes that suspension down the called food source. These enzymes are similar to those establish in the stomachs of animals, but "digestion" takes place exterior the fungus. Nutrients are then absorbed by the hypha.

The fungus grows more and more than hyphae within the food source. Eventually these hyphae grade a crisscrossed mat that looks a bit like cobwebs. This mat is called a mycelium. Though you might spot mycelia while digging through the dirt or while breaking up a rotting stump, the just role of a mucus nosotros usually run across is the fruiting body. Fungi produce a dizzying array of fruiting bodies—from teeny, tiny knobs on the ends of visible bread mold to behemothic to bright red fly agaric toadstools that await like something straight out of a fairy tale. The fruiting body's primary function is to launch the next generation, in the course of spores, out into the world. Spores that autumn on favorable locations start the process all over once again.

Why Do Nosotros Need Fungi?
I can respond that question in one give-and-take—penicillin. In this unmarried grade, fungi have had a profound affect on man life as nosotros know it. It doesn't cease there though. Similar warm, fluffy bread? Stinky cheese? Thank the fungi. Glad yous don't have to slog through insurmountable piles of dead plants from eons gone past? Thank the fungi. Savor morels sautéed in butter or truffles shaved thinly over pasta. Well, that one's obvious isn't it!

A less obvious way fungi affect our lives is through their recently-discovered relationships with plants. Turns out a group called mycorrhizal fungi grade symbiotic relationships with plants. The fungus uses its hyphae to extend the plant'south roots, giving the plant greater access to water and nutrients. In render, the plant provides the fungi some of the sugars it creates through photosynthesis. Many of our food crops depend on this relationship to produce healthy plants. Like food? Thank the fungi!

Fun with Fungi
At that place are many means to introduce students to fungi. Here are a few ideas:

• Go on a fungi safari.
Obviously, living in the Pacific Northwest gives me an advantage on this one, but since fungi are found in most habitats the earth over, y'all should be able to detect a skilful spot virtually you. For desert-dwellers, call up that lichen are fungi living with an algae buddy. Take students bring sketchbooks so they tin can draw and write nearly the fungi you detect. One time back in the classroom, you tin effort to identify the fungi y'all observed using a field guide.

• Grow a mold garden.
In that location is a mason jar in the cabinet behind me with a slice of tomato, a slice of staff of life, and a chunk of pineapple. It'southward covered with plastic wrap and secured with a rubber ring. I'one thousand waiting to see what will abound. This reproducible canvass from Kids' Science Challenge describes the same experiment: http://www.kidsciencechallenge.com/pdfs/2010activities/Magical_Microbes_2010_Fungus_Garden.pdf (See the safety note below.)

• Mushroom prints.
You'll observe complete instructions for creating a spore print in this link from the Maryland Department of Natural Resources: http://www.dnr.land.physician.the states/cin/mushroom_spore_activity.asp Instead of collecting mushrooms from your g, which can be an unreliable source for classroom utilise, I recommend purchasing mushrooms from the grocery store. Buy mushrooms that are in the process of opening. Yous'll need fully opened mushrooms for the activity. If needed, store them in a paper bag in the refrigerator until they open up upwardly.

• Yeast balloon.
Yous've probably seen this one before, but information technology's a fun fashion to demonstrate that yeasts are, in fact, alive. Mix a teaspoon of sugar with about a cup of warm (non hot!) water and pour into a pocket-sized, make clean plastic canteen. Clear is nice and then you tin see what's going on inside. Add together a package of yeast (around ii ¼ tea.). Stir gently. Take a balloon that you've stretched a bit and identify it over the neck of the bottle. Leave the bottle in a warm place for 20 minutes or then.

• Make bread dough with and without yeast.
This might exist a little aggressive for classroom employ, only could be assigned as a home projection and is perfect for a homeschool setting. Mix up two batches of bread dough using any recipe y'all like. In the start, follow the directions exactly. Do the same with the second, except leave out the yeast. Observe the results. (You might desire to make a smaller than normal batch, since your unleavened bread may not be eaten!)

Note: Go on in mind—in some forms, fungi tin brand you ill. Consider the age and maturity of your students when you decide which parts of an activity will be performed by students and which parts volition be tackled by adults. Accept an developed discard the mold gardens once the experiment is over. And for sky's sake, don't sniff the spores!

Books and Online Resources
• The Kingdom of Fungi, past Jens. H Petersen
• What is a Mucus? by D.Grand. Souza
• North American Mycological Clan – http://www.namyco.org/alphabetize.html

Lesson 2 What Are Fungi,

Source: https://kidsdiscover.com/teacherresources/fungi/

Posted by: clearyhishowas.blogspot.com

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