Fungi are fascinating, yet we know so little about them. They are all around us – in the soil, the air, and even in our bodies. They can feed us, cure us – and if we’re not careful, they can kill us. At the last count, there were around 15,000 species of fungi in the UK, everything from toadstools and mushrooms, to mould, mildews and yeast. And now is the perfect time of year to spot them.
Flora or fauna?
Once classified as plants, fungi are now grouped in their own kingdom, somewhere between a plant and an animal. Unlike plants, they are not able to generate their own food through photosynthesis, so, like us, they need to absorb nutrition from other organic substances.
Medical wonders
A number of medications are derived from fungi. The antibiotic penicillin changed medical practice forever when it was discovered in 1928 by Alexander Fleming. Other treatments that are derived from fungi are cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant that helps prevent the rejection of organ transplants, and lovastatin, which lowers cholesterol.
Wood Wide Web
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 12, 2021 من WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك ? تسجيل الدخول
هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة October 12, 2021 من WOMAN'S WEEKLY.
ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.
بالفعل مشترك? تسجيل الدخول
Patchwork PROJECTS
Easy ideas to show off English paper-piecing techniques
Night train to BERLIN
Germany's exciting and varied capital is now reachable by train from the UK
French FANCY
Raymond Blanc's right-hand man, Benoit Blin's favourite bakes
Are you missing out on BENEFITS?
Here's how to find out what you are eligible for
TRAY bien
All-in-one tray bakes, packed with flavour
We took a grown-up GAP YEAR!
Who says taking time out is just for students?
'I'm obsessed with reality TV!'
THIS WEEK'S COLUMNIST Author and presenter Louise Minchin
What to eat and do for A HEALTHIER GUT
Fix those problems and boost your wellbeing
Picture palaces
In an age of cinema complexes, we celebrate five historic and beautiful picture houses that have stood the test of time
'My diet during Bake Off is cake and alcohol!'
Dame Prue Leith on the popular baking contest