Question

What are some useful and harmful effects of fungi? (3 Marks)

Answer 1

Uses of fungi:

• Fungi are useful as many medicines like penicillin and nutritional supplements can be obtained from them. (0.5 Mark)
• Some fungi depict symbiotic relationships with ants and wasps. Wasps leave their larvae in fungi ensuring nutrition for them. On the other hand, ants let them grow within their anthill to obtain food from them. (1 Mark)

Harmful effects:

• Fungi are harmful in some cases when they spoil jute, wooden and leather materials or when they release mycotoxins in food and make it poisonous. (1 Mark)
• They cause diseases in plants such as root rot, rust, etc. (0.5 Mark)