No, it is not. Mushrooms are heterotrophs, not autotrophs. This is because it is a dependent organism; this is to say that it does not grow on its own; it depends on another organism or plant to come to life.
Mushrooms belong to the kingdom of fungi. They lack chlorophyll so they cannot make their own food.” This means that mushrooms can not synthesize what they eat.
Read on as we discuss in detail whether a mushroom is an autotroph or not. Let’s get started
What is a Mushroom?
Mushrooms are technically fungi, not plants. Although some people do argue that it’s a plant, it is not; it is a fungus that serves multiple functions. Mushrooms belong to the family of fungi, which boasts more than 144,000 known species.
It includes yeats and rusts. Some of these mushrooms are edible and safe to eat, while others are not. Furthermore, mushrooms can be used to make some food, especially in the US and the Asian continent.
Where are Mushrooms Found?
Mushrooms are found near plants and they use plants for their own stability while growing.
Research has also shown that mushrooms are fungi, but that has not deterred most Americans from adding them to their meals. This is to say, not only does it appeal to Africans but also to Americans.
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the average American eats approximately three pounds of mushrooms a year.
Yes, there are reasons for you to take or eat mushrooms. Some people may not know this or maybe they are not familiar with it. Mushrooms are healthy.
In the next subheading, I will be talking about the use and benefits of mushrooms.
Is Mushroom an Autotroph?
Here is the major reason you are here: having discussed the meaning and benefits of mushrooms, let’s look into whether mushrooms are autotrophs or something else.
Mushroom is not an autotroph; rather, it is a heterotroph. This is to say that it can not perform the role of photosynthesis.
Mushrooms are aerobic; they make use of oxygen as a final electron acceptor but they are also able to operate anaerobic metabolic pathways by using organic molecules as final electron acceptors.
Mushrooms can grow very slowly in almost aerobic conditions, but they do not have time to drag or compete with anaerobic bacteria. They are also able to reproduce through both sexual and asexual processes.
The sexual cycle within the recombination events and the generation of variation occur in the primary mycelia, which is generated by the combination of uninucleated spores and the formation of heteronuclear secondary mycelium, which can produce mushrooms.
Benefits of Mushrooms?
Mushrooms have so many benefits that are beneficial to human health. Here, we will be discussing the numerous benefits of mushrooms:
1. It reduces cancer risk
A review of 17 cancer studies from 1966–2020 shows that eating at least 18 grams of mushrooms a day may lower your cancer risk by as much as 45%. What you don’t know is that mushrooms are a powerful source of an amino acids and antioxidants that prevent cellular damage.
Refusing to eat mushrooms when you need them shows a high level of ignorance. Some mushroom varieties have a high amount of ergothioneine. According to researchers, they found out that incorporating any variety of mushrooms into your everyday food or diet will reduce your risk of cancer.
2. It promotes lower cholesterol
It shows that shiitake mushrooms, in particular, help to keep cholesterol levels low.
3. It provides a source of vitamin D
What is the work of vitamin D again? Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and build strong and active bones. There are many people who trust supplements to do the work of vitamin D for them when they can rely on the natural sources through which vitamin D is obtained.
4. It protects brain health
In a study of Singapore, participants who ate more than two cups of mushrooms a week had a 50% lower risk of developing MCI (mild cognitive impairment)
5. It support a healthy immune system
According to the Mushroom Council, your immune system will benefit from mushrooms, whose nutrients include selenium, vitamin D, and vitamin B6.
The work of selenium is to help your body make antioxidant enzymes to prevent cell damage. The work of the vitamin D here is to assist with cell growth and boost immune function. The last one, Vitamin B6, helps the body form red blood cells, DNA and proteins.
- It helps to reduce the risk of obesity and other chronic diseases.
- It gears up one’s energy.
- It is good when it comes to Anaemia treatment.
Categories of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are divided into four main categories, which include:
- Parasitic Mushroom
- Saprotrophic Mushroom
- Mycorrhizal Mushroom
- Endophytic mushrooms.
1. Parasitic Mushrooms
Parasitic mushrooms are there to feed off other plant life. And it gives no benefits to the host. They’re detrimental to the host and they can even cause death to the host sometimes. There are more than 1000 species of fungi and parasites. Examples of parasitic mushrooms include:
- Poplar Mushroom (Cyclocybe parasitica)
- Lion’s Mane (Hericium erinaceus)
- Chaga (Inonotus obliquus)
- Elm Oyster Mushroom (Hypsizygus ulmarius).
- Honey Fungus (Armillaria mellea)
- Lobster Mushroom (Hypomyces lactifluorum)
- Caterpillar Fungus (Ophiocordyceps sinensis).
2. Saprotrophic Mushroom
Saprotrophic Mushrooms feast on the dead and decaying matter while they aid in the decomposition process. This particular mushroom unravels special enzymes that encourage the deterioration of organic matter. Types of saprotrophic mushrooms include:
- Morchella esculenta ‘Penicillium’ (this type of saprotrophic mushroom is the source of the penicillin antibiotic)
- Agaricus bisporus (also known as button mushroom)
3. Mycorrhizal Mushroom
The last on the list is the mycorrhizal mushroom, which gives and still receives benefits from other plants. The mycorrhizal mushroom helps to hydrate a plant, which provides sugar to return the favor. This symbiotic relationship helps both the plant and the mushroom grow stronger and bigger. Mycorrhizal fungi (mushrooms) produce more edible mushrooms. Types of mycorrhizal mushrooms include:
- Saffron milkcap mushrooms: they’re also called red pine mushrooms, delicious milkaps or red pine milkaps. Saffron milkaps are edible, crunch and tasty mushrooms. You can find it mainly in the Spanish nation, where it is called niscalo or rovellon.
- Chanterelles: Chanterelle mushrooms are regarded as one of the most popular edible mushrooms in the world and they consist of different species. The French nations have been adding it as part of their cuisine for more than a century.
- Hedgehog Mushrooms
- Porcini: Porcini mushrooms are meaty and delicious mushrooms commonly used in both Italian and French cuisine.
- Morels mushroom
- Matsutake mushroom
- Fly Agaric mushroom.
4. Endophytic Mushroom
This fungus lives in plant tissue all through its entire or half-life cycle. It makes sure to establish a beneficial and mutual symbiotic relationship with its host plant. The fungus doesn’t cause any disease or adverse effects on the host plant. An example of this endophytic mushroom is Taxomyces andreanae.
Few Characteristics of Mushrooms
Mushrooms are characterized in different ways; some of them are:
Location
It is found on the edge of wood, especially oak, aspen, ash and elm trees. preferably dark, shady, warm and moist places. They can also be found on the forest floors. Note that mushrooms are mainly found on dead or dying trees.
Appearance
Mushrooms have different appearances; some have large stems, while others have thin stems. Some mushrooms have rounded fleshy caps with gills under the cap.
Conclusion
Mushrooms are not autotrophs; they are heterotrophs, and they are not plants but belong to the family of fungi.
In this article, we’ve covered the meaning of mushrooms, their benefits, and their characteristics, as well as provided an answer to the question used in the article. Also, we discussed the types of mushrooms which are: Parasitic, Saprotrophic, Mycorrhizal, and endophytic Mushrooms.
