Fungus Among Us

Summary
An introduction to the characteristics, ecological roles, and basic structures of fungi.

Objectives
• Students will recognize characteristics of the fungal kingdom.

• Students will compare and contrast the three roles of fungi in an ecosystem.

• Students will define mutualistic symbiosis.

• Students will compare and contrast the benefits and harm done by fungi.

Suggested Grades
4th Grade
5th Grade
6th Grade

Excerpt
Fungus was once grouped with plants, but new research indicates that fungi are actually more closely related to animals. Fungi form their own kingdom in the five-kingdom classification system. Fungi are eukaryotes and most are multicellular. As eukaryotic organisms, they have cells with a nucleus and other membrane-bound organelles.

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