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Comparative studies of natural groups of organisms

commercially cultivated world-wide. (i) Fungi, particularly the genetically
They are rich source of nutrients such engineered ones, can be used in
as proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, bioremediation to degrade some
minerals, fibres, and vitamins. They pollutants in the environment.
can be used as nutritional supplements They are useful in detoxification of
to humans. They can also be used for poisonous substances such as cyanide,
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medical therapy: as antimicrobial,
anticancer, and antioxidants. Other which is removed from cassava by
animals such as ants and millipedes moulds, such as Rhizopus.
feed on fungi. (j) Saprophytic fungi are used as

(b) Yeasts are used in fermentation to scavengers in sewage treatment to
produce alcohol in brewing industries. clean the environment. Some fungi
(c) Fungi are important in the production with the ability to digest cellulose are
of organic acids and organic solvents used in waste papers’ disposal.
such as acetic acid, lactic acid, amyl, (k) Some fungi are grown for commercial
isoamyl alcohol, and glycerol. production in order to extract pigments,
(d) Saprophytic fungal communities which are used in the preparation of
are important in the soil, as they various dye materials.
decompose dead organic matters and (l) Some fungi can be used in biological
recycle nutrients locked in dead plants control, as they obtain their food
and animals, thereby improving soil by destroying other organisms like
fertility. amoeba, rotifers, and nematodes. In
(e) Some members of the kingdom addition, entomogenous fungi are
Fungi are used in producing medicine parasitic to insects and other small
(antibiotics) such as penicillin from
Penicillium sp., and ephedrine extracted anthropods, such as mites and spiders.
from yeast. (m) They are involved in symbiotic
(f) They are sources of important hormones mycorrhizal association with roots
such as gibberellins obtained from of vascular plants in which they
Gibberella fujikuroi. This hormone increase the plant roots’ surface area
regulates vegetative and fruit growth for absorption of nutrients of nutrients,
in plants. while, in turn, the fungi get some of the
(g) They are important in cheese industry photosynthesised food from the plants.
and in production of some enzymes
such as amylase. (n) They are used in biological studies as
(h) They are used in research such as specimens. Examples, of such Fungi
include Rhizopus, Saccharamyces, and
biochemical genetics; a good example
is Neurospora crassa (ascomycetes), Agaricus.
which is used in many aspects of
cell biology and biochemistry to Disadvantages of kingdom Fungi
elucidate various molecular events (a) Some fungi produce toxins that can
involved in epigenesis, cell fusion and affect plants and animals, for example
some fungi are so poisonous that
development. when consumed by mammals they can

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