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• Fungi are organisms with characteristics that are similar to plants. Common forms of fungi include mold, yeast and mushrooms.

  On February 27, 2009, it was reported that a group of scientists had gathered in Paris to discuss what to do about a spreading fungus that was threatening prehistoric drawings in a french cave. The fungus was spreading due to the affects of global warming.Discovery: [http://dsc.discovery.com/news/2009/02/27/france-cave-fungus.html Fungus Threatens Ancient French Cave Art (February 27, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Singular: Fungus
  2. Range in size from single-cell organisms to a 3.5 mile-wide mushroomMicrobe World: Types of Microbes: Fungi
  3. Some fungi are used to grow antibiotics to fight infectionsMicrobe World: Types of Microbes: Fungi
  4. Fungi grows on almost anythingVirtual Museum: the Fungus Among Us
  5. The average person drinks beverages produced by fungus regularlyVirtual Museum: Fungal Friends
  6. Oldest fungi fossil: 545 million yearsVirtual Museum: Funky Fungus Facts and Figures

• Impact on Society

  While some fungi have benefits to mankind such as producing penicillin, scientists are discovering other ways in which this life form is detrimental to society. Microscopic fungal organisms have been found to cause accelerated decay of stone monuments around the world, from Easter Island to Greece's Acropolis. Research is ongoing to discover a way to stem the newly discovered tide of fungal destruction.The New York Times: Microbes Eating Away at Pieces of History (June 24, 2008)

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Mold | Biology | Yeast | Microbiology | Infection

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