What is the role of fungi in human life?

In the cycle of substances in nature, the kingdom of fungi is not the last place. Many mushrooms have a very useful property - to decompose organic compounds in the soil to mineral, which are subsequently absorbed by plants. A symbiosis (or, as it is also 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 do these creatures of nature bring to his life?

The role of fungi in human life: food

Since ancient times people eat mushrooms as food. Edible in nature - more than 100 species, but actively used for cooking needs of all countries and peoples - up to forty. As you know, these creatures contain enough nutrients. Many in them and proteins (by the way, in many types of religious posts they are allowed to eat at this time, along with plants). And people living near forests or in the taiga have long appreciated mushrooms as one of the main and inexhaustible sources of protein foods. In pre-revolutionary times (and at this hour) for the villagers, it was a good help in the family's support.

Mushroom cultivation

Today, some of the species of the mushroom kingdom are bred by man artificially, in order to obtain food raw materials, in special premises prepared for this purpose. Champignons and oyster mushrooms, shitake and honey agarics have already become a familiar commodity on the shelves of supermarkets. And people use them with great pleasure, because from mushrooms you can cook not one dozen tasty and nutritious dishes. And the role of fungi in human life - bakeries, beer, wine yeast - is well known and invaluable. Kefir and yeast bread with buns, beer and wine, mold types of cheese are all products of the life activity of these mushrooms.

Raw material for medicines

With the development of medicine, another role of fungi in the life of man is manifested - healing. Even in the Renaissance, the first of the well-known reference books (before, perhaps, such information was passed orally) appeared, where attention was paid to fungi and as a remedy for certain diseases. In modern medicine, from such fungi as aspergillus and penicillium, powerful antibiotics are produced - drugs that can kill pathogenic bacteria.

In agriculture

The role of fungi in human life in the sphere of agriculture is great. Some types of molds are involved in the cultivation of other plants (for example, in the seedless varieties of grapes, stimulating the growth of berries) and the control of some agricultural pests - at the biological level.

Harm

But some types of fungi are poisonous and can cause harm to humans. For example, if you accidentally use them for food. Poisoning can also trigger the consumption of moldy foods, up to the formation of tumors. And in agriculture, large damage is caused by fungi, which damage crops - mainly fruit trees and grains.