Mushrooms

Mushrooms are the fruiting bodies of fungi, playing a vital role in ecosystems as decomposers that break down organic material. They come in various shapes, sizes, and colors, often with a stem, cap, and gills. Unlike plants, mushrooms do not photosynthesize; instead, they absorb nutrients from their environment. Many species are edible and nutritious, while others are toxic. Mushrooms reproduce via spores released from the gills or other structures under the cap, enabling their spread. They are used in cooking, medicine, and biotechnology, with their unique biological properties making them important to both nature and human industry.