La biologia dei funghi funzionali - Present Mushrooms

The Biology of Mushrooms

They are not animals, but they are not plants either. They live everywhere, but often go unseen. Some are microscopic, while others manifest in spectacular forms.

They are organisms that are simple and complex at the same time, mysterious and fascinating. Fungi play a key role in the ecosystem and harbor powerful molecules for human health.


A Kingdom of their own, between plants and animals


Until less than 100 years ago, fungi were classified as plants. These organisms do indeed possess characteristics that make them similar to plants; however, they also have characteristics that link them to animals and unique peculiarities that distinguish them from both. It is not surprising, therefore, that today fungi have a kingdom all their own: the Kingdom Fungi.


Like plant cells, fungal cells have a cell wall that provides rigidity and protection. However, while the cell wall of plants is composed of cellulose, that of fungi is composed of chitin, the same substance that forms the exoskeleton of insects and crustaceans.


Fungi, like plants, grow anchored to a substrate (e.g., soil) and can produce specific structures that resemble roots, branches, and seeds. But while plants obtain nutrients and energy through photosynthesis, fungi feed on organic matter present in their surrounding environment, just like animals do.


A spectrum of diverse forms


Fungi exhibit an immense variety of shapes and structures. Some, like yeasts, are single-celled and so small that they are only visible under a microscope. Other fungi, however, are composed of many cells (multicellular fungi) organized into more complex structures, but often remain hidden in the soil or in the substrates where they grow. Then there are macroscopic fungi, also known as higher fungi, which develop structures visible to the naked eye, such as the cap and stem fungi found in forests.

In multicellular fungi, cells join to form very thin filaments called hyphae. These filaments intertwine to form a network called a mycelium, which represents the main part of the fungus. The mycelium grows in soil, wood, or other materials. It is the hidden and vital part of the fungus, responsible for growth, nutrient absorption, and the organism's survival.

When conditions are favorable, the mycelium can give rise to a special structure called the fruiting body. This is the visible part of the fungus, the one that emerges from the soil or tree trunks. The fruiting body's role is to produce and release spores, which are like small seeds that allow fungi to reproduce and spread to new environments.

In common imagination, fungi are only known for their external part, but in reality, most of their structure remains invisible, underground, where it lives and works in close connection with the environment to maintain the balance of ecosystems.


Countless places, countless possibilities


In the form of intricate mycelial networks or majestic fruiting bodies, fungi are found everywhere on Earth, occupying a variety of habitats ranging from woods and forests to arid deserts, ocean floors, and polar ice caps. This adaptability reflects the extraordinary evolutionary diversity and chemical richness that characterize these organisms.


Fungi produce a wide range of bioactive molecules that have revolutionized science and medicine:

  • Antibiotics, such as penicillin, discovered from the fungus Penicillium notatum;

  • Immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine, first discovered in the fungus Tolypocladium nivenum;

  • Psychotropic substances, such as psilocybin, historically used as a psychedelic in spiritual ceremonies but more recently applied therapeutically to treat neuropsychiatric disorders;

  • Other bioactive compounds, thanks to which fungi have been used for centuries in traditional Chinese medicine for their health properties (antioxidant, immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, neuroprotective, etc.).

To date, approximately 150,000 species of fungi have been described, but it is estimated that the actual number is far greater, representing a universe of possibilities yet to be explored.



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