economic importance of fungi

Question 1

Name two benefits of fungi

Answer 1

1. Yeasts are used to produce alcohols such as beers and wines.
2. Fungi such as mushrooms can be grown as a source of food.

Question 2

Name two disadvantages of fungi

Answer 2

1. Fungi destroy a wide range of materials, food, crops, paper and timber.
2. Fungal diseases of plants and animals can result in financial losses. These include athlete’s foot, ringworm, thrush and fungal nail infections.

Question 3

Give examples of fungi that grow on the following: 
food
crops
paper
timber

Answer 3

food = yeasts on fruit and bread mould on bread

crops = potato blight fungus destroys potatoes, smuts and rusts are fungal diseases of cereals

paper = mildew grows on damp paper

timber = dry rot and dutch elm fungus both grow on wood