FUNGI

Fungi are eukaryotic organisms involved in the breakdown of organic matter. Fungi may be unicellular (yeasts) or multicellular. Multicellular fungi tend to be filamentous, consisting of thin strands called hyphae. These spread throughout the medium in which they live. Many fungi do not become apparent until they produce fruiting bodies which release reproductive spores (a mushroom is a fruiting body for a soil fungus).

The majority of fungi are free-living, although there are several important pathogenic species :

Candida - pathogenic yeast which infects the mucus membranes (eg. the mouth and genital tracts). Causative agent of “Thrush”

Tinea - broad name given to condition caused by a variety of soil fungi which break down keratin ( a major protein in skin, hair and nails). Typical tinea infections result in an itchy, red, inflamed region of skin which spread outwards from a central point.

Aspergillus - filamentous fungus which may cause respiratory problems in patients without properly functionin respiratory systems

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