What are fungi? How are they useful or harmful to us? Give figures also.

Explanation

Fungi are microorganisms which exist in unicellular as well as multicellular forms. Some of the fungi like mushrooms, etc. can be seen with naked eyes. They have long thread like structures called hyphae. Fungi can reproduce sexually as well as asexually. Fungi are both harmful and useful to us. Smuts, rusts, ringworm, etc. are some of the diseases causing fungi. They infect humans as well as animals and plants. They are useful as they are used as food in many parts of world. Mushrooms are the commonly used food around the world. Yeast is used to make alcohol, breads, bhaturas, idlis, dosas, etc. Penicillium is used to make penicillin, an antibiotic.