🌿🦠 Comprehensive Answer Set for Economic Importance of Fungi – ICSE Class 9 🌿🦠
🌟 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
- Which fungus is used in the production of antibiotics like penicillin?
✅ (b) Penicillium - Which among the following fungi is edible and commercially cultivated?
✅ (c) Agaricus bisporus - Which type of fermentation is carried out by yeast?
✅ (b) Alcoholic fermentation - The process of introducing mushroom mycelium into compost is known as:
✅ (b) Spawning - Which of the following is a fungal product used in the food industry?
✅ (b) Citric acid
📝 Very Short Answer Type Questions
- Name one fungus used in the production of bread.
✅ Saccharomyces cerevisiae (Yeast) - What is the scientific name of the white button mushroom?
✅ Agaricus bisporus - Which type of nutrition is observed in fungi?
✅ Heterotrophic nutrition (Saprophytic or Parasitic) - Mention one commercial product obtained from yeast fermentation.
✅ Ethanol (Alcohol) - What is the name of the process where spores help fungi reproduce?
✅ Sporulation
✍️ Short Answer Type Questions
- Define fermentation and mention its industrial importance.
Fermentation is a biochemical process in which microorganisms like yeast convert sugars into alcohol, gases, or acids in the absence of oxygen. It is industrially important in producing bread, alcoholic beverages, and biofuels. It also plays a key role in the dairy and pharmaceutical industries. - What is the role of fungi in the production of antibiotics?
Fungi, especially Penicillium species, produce antibiotics like penicillin, which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria. This discovery revolutionized medical treatments and saved countless lives by curing bacterial infections. - List two food items where fungi play an essential role in production.
✅ Bread – produced with the help of yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) during fermentation.
✅ Cheese – certain types like blue cheese are produced using molds like Penicillium roqueforti. - What is ‘casing’ in mushroom cultivation, and why is it important?
Casing is the process of adding a layer of moist soil over the colonized compost. It helps maintain moisture, supports mushroom growth, and triggers the formation of fruiting bodies. - How does yeast contribute to the baking industry?
Yeast ferments the sugars in the dough, releasing carbon dioxide gas, which makes the dough rise and results in soft, fluffy bread.
📚 Long Answer Type Questions
1. Economic Importance of Fungi in the Medical, Food, and Agricultural Industries
Fungi play a vital role across multiple industries, contributing significantly to medical advancements, food production, and agricultural development.
In the medical field, fungi are essential in producing antibiotics. For example, Penicillium notatum is used to produce penicillin, the world’s first antibiotic that revolutionized the treatment of bacterial infections. Other medically significant compounds from fungi include cyclosporine, an immunosuppressant used during organ transplants, and statins, which help in controlling cholesterol levels.
In the food industry, fungi contribute to the preparation of numerous food items. Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast) is extensively used in bread-making and alcoholic fermentation. Edible mushrooms like Agaricus bisporus are commercially cultivated for human consumption. Additionally, fungi help produce citric acid, a key ingredient used as a preservative and flavoring agent in the food industry.
In agriculture, fungi play a critical role in maintaining soil health.Certain fungi, like Trichoderma, act as biological control agents, suppressing harmful plant pathogens. Overall, fungi are indispensable in ensuring health, food production, and sustainable agriculture. 🌾🍄💊
2. The Process of Mushroom Cultivation: From Composting to Harvesting
Mushroom cultivation involves several systematic steps to ensure a healthy and productive yield.
- Composting: The process begins with the preparation of compost using organic materials like straw, chicken manure, and gypsum. This mixture is allowed to decompose, providing a nutrient-rich substrate for mushroom growth.
- Pasteurization: The compost is then pasteurized to eliminate harmful microbes and pests.
- Spawning: After cooling, spawn (mushroom mycelium) is introduced into the compost. This is the most critical phase as it establishes the fungal colony.
- Casing: Once the mycelium fully colonizes the compost, a casing layer of moist soil or peat is added. This helps retain moisture and encourages fruiting.
- Fruiting: Under controlled environmental conditions like temperature, humidity, and ventilation, mushrooms begin to develop and mature.
- Harvesting: Mature mushrooms are carefully harvested to avoid damaging the mycelium, ensuring multiple growth cycles.
Proper hygiene and monitoring are crucial throughout the process to prevent contamination and ensure a high-quality yield. 🍄🌱✅
3. Role of Yeast in Bakeries and Breweries, Including the Chemical Process
Yeast, specifically Saccharomyces cerevisiae, plays a pivotal role in both bakeries and breweries due to its fermentation properties.
In bakeries, yeast is used to ferment the dough. It metabolizes the sugars present in the dough and produces carbon dioxide (CO₂) and ethanol. The CO₂ gas gets trapped in the dough, causing it to rise and become fluffy. The ethanol evaporates during baking.
In breweries, yeast is used in alcoholic fermentation, where it converts sugars into ethanol and CO₂. The chemical equation is:
This process is crucial for the production of beer, wine, and spirits. The flavor, texture, and alcohol content depend on the type of yeast and fermentation conditions. 🍞🍺🔬
4. Use of Fungi in the Production of Organic Acids and Enzymes
Fungi are widely utilized in the industrial production of organic acids and enzymes, essential for food, pharmaceuticals, and other industries.
- Organic Acids: Fungi like Aspergillus niger are used to produce citric acid, commonly used as a food preservative. Rhizopus species help produce lactic acid, essential in the food and pharmaceutical industries.
- Enzymes: Fungi like Aspergillus oryzae produce amylase, which breaks down starch into sugar, aiding in brewing and baking. Trichoderma species produce cellulase, used in textile and paper industries.
These fungal products are vital in various industries, enhancing production efficiency and product quality. 🧪🍋⚙️
5. Contribution of Fungi to Environmental Sustainability and Soil Health
Fungi are key contributors to environmental sustainability and soil health.
- Decomposition: Saprophytic fungi decompose dead plants and animals, recycling nutrients back into the soil, thereby enhancing soil fertility.
- Symbiosis: Mycorrhizal fungi form beneficial relationships with plant roots, aiding in water and nutrient absorption, especially phosphorus.
- Biological Control: Certain fungi like Trichoderma act as natural pesticides, controlling soil-borne pathogens and promoting plant health.
These actions help maintain ecosystem balance, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and pesticides, and promote sustainable agriculture. 🌍🌱🍄
