There is a stark difference between followers of religion and science. Those who follow religion rarely like to be corrected and stick to age-old dogmas, which are near impossible to prove
A slice of the fungal diversity found in Mumbai
There is a stark difference between followers of religion and science. Those who follow religion rarely like to be corrected and stick to age-old dogmas, which are near impossible to prove. Those engaged with science get proven wrong on a daily basis. But then scientists, too, occasionally get dogmatic. Thankfully, I fall in the category of science-lovers who have seen scientific facts undergo a sea change, within just a lifetime.
ADVERTISEMENT
A slice of the fungal diversity found in Mumbai
One such fact that changed within less than 25 years has been the classification of Fungi from Kingdom Plantae to a new and independent Kingdom, Fungi. Earlier classified as non-green plants, due to the lack of chlorophyll, scientists eventually conceded and assigned an entire kingdom, separating these omnipresent organisms. Globally, there are over 2.5 lakh species of micro and mega fungi, and India, too, has its fair share with over 27,000 known species. Generally, people co-relate fungi with spoiling of food, clothes, throat or skin infections and allergies. But ecologically they hold an important role as decomposers.
With the onset of monsoon, sickness triggered by fungal infection is rampant. At a household level, microscopic fungi attack our leather shoes, jackets, belts and purses. There is a grey-blue layer that covers all of them. And, most commonly, bread loaves or chapattis left uncovered even overnight can be found with clumps of mould growing on them. But there is far more to fungi than your household moulds. Fungi range from microscopic unicellular forms to multi-cellular clubs, yeasts, truffles, morsels and finally the massive mushrooms, which grow to over a feet in width. Although most humans consider fungi harmful or destructive, had it not been for many of these fungi, we wouldn't have been able to enjoy wines, pizzas, pastas or received protection from so many diseases via antibiotics such as penicillin.
Fungi range from edible forms to lethally poisonous varieties. However, they are fascinating beyond their commercial uses. Most are saprophytic and hence important in recycling dead and decaying organisms in forests and urban landscapes. Some fungi are parasitic, such as those causing skin infections, and a few are symbiotic, forming obligate (lifelong) associations with algae, as seen in lichens. But the most fascinating type of fungi are the 50-odd species of bioluminescent fungi, which emit light due to an oxygen-dependent chemical reaction.
Mycology, the study of fungi is an underdeveloped field, with vast scope for further discoveries of taxonomic and behavioural nature. There are also potential advances of fungi in pharmaceutical, culinary and urban waste management that can turn researchers into millionaires. Interestingly, the ubiquitous fungi also brings us petrichor, the delightful fragrance of the soil caused due to the dispersal of fungal spores by raindrops.
It would be impossible to cover and describe every form of fungi in a single article. So, hope this piece works as a trigger to raise your curiosity about our rotten neighbours who silently, but decidedly, release minerals and building blocks locked inside dead creatures, to complete the circle of life.
Write in to Anand at sproutsenvttrust@gmail.com
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
