What is the role of fungi in human life?

The circulation of substances in the nature of the kingdom of fungi is not the last.Many fungi have a very useful feature - to decompose organic compounds in the soil to the mineral, which later and absorbed by plants.A symbiosis (or, as it is called, mycorrhiza) plants and fungi - an integral part of the existence of many plants.But what is the significance of fungi in human life?And what is the nature of these creatures bring to its vital functions?

role of fungi in human life: food

Since ancient times, people have used mushrooms for food.Edible in nature - more than 100 species, but is widely used for cooking needs of all countries and peoples - to forty.As you know, these creatures are enough nutrients.Many therein and proteins (incidentally, in many types of religious posts are allowed to eat at this time, along with plants).But people living near forests, or taiga, has long valued mushrooms, as a major and an inexhaustible source of protein.In pre-revolutionary times (and in the current hour) for the villagers it was a good help to feed their families.

Breeding mushrooms

Today, some species of mushroom kingdom artificially bred by man in order to obtain food raw materials, specially prepared for this installation.Champignons and oyster mushrooms, shiitake mushrooms, and have become a familiar item on the shelves of supermarkets.And people use them with great pleasure, because mushrooms can be cooked more than a dozen tasty and nutritious meals.And the role of fungi in human life - baking, beer, wine yeast - is well known and is invaluable.Yogurt and yeast bread and rolls, beer and wine, mold cheeses - all the waste products of these fungi.

Raw materials for medicines

With the development of medicine is even a role of fungi in human life - healing.Even in the Renaissance there are the first known (before this, maybe such information transmitted orally) directories, herbalists, which paid close attention, and fungi as a cure for certain diseases.In modern medicine fungi such as Aspergillus and Penicillium produce powerful antibiotics - drugs that can destroy disease-causing bacteria.

Agriculture

The role of fungi in human life in the field of agriculture.Some types of mold are involved in the cultivation of other plants (for example, the seedless grapes, stimulating the growth of berries), and the fight against certain pests - at the biological level.

harm

But some species of mushrooms are poisonous and can cause harm to humans and.For example, in case of accidental use them for food.Poisoning can cause, and eating moldy food, up to the formation of tumors.And in agriculture cause great harm fungi that damage crops - mainly fruit trees and cereals.