What are at least three attributes that distinguish a mold from a fungus?
Fungi (singular fungus) are a kingdom of eukaryotic organisms. The fungi are heterotrophic organisms characterized by a chitinous cell wall, and in the majority of species, filamentous growth as multicellular hyphae forming a mycelium; some fungal species also grow as single cells. Sexual and asexual reproduction is via spores, often produced on specialized structures or in fruiting bodies. Yeasts, molds, and mushrooms are examples of fungi. The discipline of biology devoted to the study of fungi is known as mycology.
molds
Molds (or moulds, see spelling differences) include all species of microscopic fungi that grow in the form of multicellular filaments, called hyphae.[1] In contrast, microscopic fungi that grow as single cells are called yeasts. A connected network of these tubular branching hyphae has the same DNA and is considered a single organism, referred to as a colony or in more technical terms a mycelium.
Molds do not form a specific taxonomic or phylogenetic grouping, but can be found in the divisions Zygomycota, Deuteromycota and Ascomycota. Although some molds cause disease or food spoilage, others are useful for their role in biodegradation or in the production of various foods, beverages, antibiotics and enzymes.
Hmmmm. Molds are fungi. But not all fungi are molds (example:yeast).
Maybe this will help you.
http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/gen01/gen01952.htm
No
Lawrence, if you're going to copy and paste from some website (or many), please be sure to give proper citation. The last thing students need on this site is inadvertent plagiarism.
Thanks.
Haha, I didn't copy and paste. I went onto the website. And the found the answer. I type really fast. And I also am a teacher.
Okay, I'm sorry but for the molds one i did copy and paste the molds one. I'm sorry.
Michelle, the fungi which form multicelled filaments are called molds. Those that are single celled, and reproduce by budding or spores, are not molds. That is about the main difference. Often, but not always, fungi are decomposers, which feed internally on rotting material, whereas molds live on the surface. Slime molds are an exception to this, and their classification is argued still.
To distinguish a mold from a fungus, here are three attributes to look for:
1. Appearance:
Molds are typically multicellular and can be recognized by their fuzzy or powdery appearance. They often appear as a cluster of closely packed hyphae (thread-like structures) and can come in various colors, such as white, green, black, or brown. Fungi, on the other hand, include a broader range of organisms, including molds, yeasts, and mushrooms, among others. So, while molds are a type of fungus, not all fungi are molds.
2. Growth Patterns:
Molds usually grow in the form of visible colonies, with a fuzzy texture or patches, spreading across the surface where they are growing. They thrive in moist environments, such as damp walls, food, or organic material. Fungi, however, encompass a wider range of growth patterns. For example, yeasts are single-celled fungi that grow as tiny particles, while mushrooms are larger and more complex structures that arise from a network of mycelium (a mass of hyphae).
3. Reproduction:
Molds reproduce by dispersing spores into the air. Their spores are lightweight and can be spread easily, allowing molds to colonize new areas. Different species of molds produce different types of spores, including both sexual and asexual spores. Fungi, on the other hand, have diverse reproductive strategies. Some fungi reproduce through spores, just like molds, while others reproduce through fragmentation, budding (as in yeasts), or sexual reproduction.
To categorize a particular organism as a mold, it would be useful to consider these attributes along with microscopy techniques, genetic analysis, or consulting specialized resources such as mycology textbooks or professional mycologists.