4.  Fungi As Decomposers › Fungi Keep ecosystem stocked with inorganic material for plant growth › Without fungi carbon nitrogen and other elements would be tied up in organic matter › metabolize dead organisms and other waste products, making their molecules available to other creatures.  Mutualism › Endophytes -live inside leaves or plants which create toxins that deter herbivores or by increasing host plan tolerance of heat drought, or heavy metals. › Symbiosis- Some fungi share digestive services with animals which help break down plant material in the stomach. › Lichens- is a mass of hyphae that hold individual photosynthetic cells  ????

5.  Pathogens › Chestnut blight, pine pinch canker, rye disease › Fungal infections is called mycosis  Ringworm disease  Yeast infections  Molds  Food › Creation of cheeses, colas, yeast, alcohol, bread, mushrooms, truffles

6.  Fungi used to stop internal bleeding after childbirth  Antibiotics › Penicillium › Cyclosporine- suppress immune system after organ transplants

8.  1000 species  Fast-growing molds