Fungi are unicellular and multi-cellular organisms belonging to the genus heterotrophic phylum. More than 100,000 organism species are classified as fungi. Fungi are categorized into four prominent types: Zygomycota, Basidiomycota, Deuteromycota and Ascomycota.
Zygomycota fungi are mostly molds that feed on dead plants and animals. These parasites flourish on insects and plants. The method of reproduction among these is sexual and the male and female are not distinguishable.
Basidiomycota fungi can be sexual as well as asexual in nature. These can be either unicellular or multi-cellular. The most common Basidiomycota fungus is the mushroom that reproduces sexually. This phylum of fungus includes single-celled yeasts and many asexual organisms.
Deuteromycota fungi have mostly asexual reproductive features. This category includes the species of organisms that do not qualify under other categories. Deuteromycota fungi are known as Fungi Imperfecti and these include organisms that help in the formation of Camembert cheese and Roquefort, a French blue cheese. It includes the fungi that cause various animal and plant diseases, such as ringworm and athlete’s foot.
Ascomycota fungi include mostly yeasts, molds, mildews and edible organisms, such as truffle and morel. They also comprise of fungi species that cause ergot, chestnut blight, Dutch elm disease and apple scab disease in plants. Ascomycota fungi have a combination of both the reproductive features i.e. asexual and sexual.
Chytridiomycota are another common types of fungi found. Generally known as Chytrids, these contain unreleased spores in their pot-like structures. They go about the process of multiplication by producing zoospores that are mobile in nature. The Neocallimastigomycota originally belonged to the class of Chytridiomycota. These anaerobic orgnasims are commonly found in digestive systems of various herbivorous animals. Similar to Chytrids, these produce zoospores for propagation and exist in water as well as on land.
Various fungi can be poisonous to humans and animals alike and cause death among them. They can damage crops resulting in a failed harvest.
