Mycelium 101: The Basics — Pt 1/2
Deep Dive into the Biology, Functions, and Environmental Impact of Mycelium
Mushrooms 🍄
You’ve probably seen them on pizza, soups, or the Mario games.
These “fun-guys” (get it, fun-gi) are more important than you think. Without mushrooms, our world would collapse. Our forests and nature would essentially become wastelands, as plants wouldn’t be able to access their essential nutrients, and soil would just turn into dust, unable to support crops.
So much organic waste would accumulate, creating an imbalance in our world, disrupting and destroying ecosystems, leading many species to just go extinct as well. Our CO2 levels would rise without the natural sequestration provided by these fungi, impacting climate change.
You might be thinking, a tiny mushroom can’t do all that. Well, it’s not the mushroom or the “fruiting body” I’m referring to but the vast interconnected network known as mycelium
If you need clarification, here’s what a mushroom is made of. This network of mycelium-like wires spreading throughout the soil and within the mushroom is the vegetative part of the fungi itself. It goes into/through the soil, binding roots, recycling nutrients, and forming a web like structure.
Mushrooms and their mycelium are not just decomposers; they are our planet’s life-support system, essential for nutrient cycling, soil fertility, and ecosystem health.
But besides being responsible for so much on earth, mushrooms can do much more. As many scientists and innovators have been looking deeper into this amazing species, mycelium is emerging as a key player in creating sustainable solutions for our environmental and industrial challenges. From bioremediation to biodegradable packaging, the potential of these underground threads is transforming our approach to a greener future.
I’ll split this article into two parts to make it easier to read. In this article, we will explore the fantastic biology of mycelium. Part 2 will cover the impactful applications of mycelium.
Find part 2 here 👉 https://manaallakhani.medium.com/mycelium-101-the-applications-pt-2-2-5c256a74dd6a
Going into the Roots of Mycelium
As mentioned before, mycelium is the fungi’s vegetative part (the reproductive part), while mushrooms are the fruiting bodies. The mycelium is highly complex and fascinating because it plays a vital role in many ecological processes. To truly understand the importance of mycelium, let’s dive deeper into its biology, structure, and function.
🏗 Structure and Function of Mycelium
At its core, mycelium consists of tiny, thread-like structures called hyphae. These hyphae are the building blocks for mycelium, and their structure is foundational to its function.
Hyphae
Hyphae are tube-like cells surrounded by a chitin cell wall (like a strong and flexible polymer type material). Chitin is also found in the exoskeletons of insects and crustaceans (like crabs, lobsters, etc), this is what gives hyphae durability and resilience.
Some hyphae are divided into compartments by cross walls called “septa.” These septa have pores that allow the flow of cytoplasm, nutrients, and different organelles between the compartments, ensuring the mycelial network functions properly.
In nutrient absorption, hyphae secrete enzymes that break down complex organic matter into simpler molecules, which are then absorbed into their cell walls. This process allows the fungi to decompose organic material and recycle the nutrients into the ecosystem.
Hyphae secrete many different extracellular enzymes, such as cellulases, ligninases, and proteases. These enzymes break down complex organic compounds like cellulose and lignin into smaller molecules like glucose and amino acids, which can be absorbed by the hyphae.
Hyphae grow at their tips in a process called “apical growth.” This allows the mycelium to expand rapidly and colonize new substrates, whether soil, wood, or organic matter.
♻️ The Lifecycle and Key Terminologies
Understanding the lifecycle of mycelium is essential to understand how fungi grow, reproduce, and contribute to ecosystems. The lifecycle of mycelium involves four key stages necessary for its development and propagation.
1. Spore Germination
Fungal spores are produced by fruiting bodies like mushrooms. They germinate in an excellent environment with proper moisture, temperature, and nutrient availability. In the germination step, a spore absorbs water and nutrients, leading to the emergence of a germ tube. This tube elongates and develops into hyphae, starting the formation of mycelium.
2. Hyphal Growth
In this step, the newly formed hyphae grow and branch off, forming mycelial networks that colonize the substrate. This stage involves rapid expansion and nutrient absorption. As the hyphae interconnect, they form dense mycelial networks that exploit the substrate.
3. Mycelium Formation
As the mycelium network grows and matures, it becomes the primary vegetative structure within the fungus. This mature mycelium can survive for long periods, even under adverse conditions. The mycelium stores essential nutrient compounds that can be used during nutrient scarcity or for producing fruiting bodies.
4. Fruiting Body Production
When environmental conditions are favorable, the mycelium starts to produce fruiting bodies. This involves complex signaling mechanisms within the mycelium and the allocation of stored nutrients. The fruiting bodies, like mushrooms, release spores into the environment, completing the lifecycle and starting the process again.
🔑 Key Terms to Remember
- Hyphae: Thread-like structures that form the mycelium, characterized by their tubular shape and chitin-rich cell walls.
- Mycelium: The network of interconnected hyphae constituting the vegetative part of fungi.
- Sporulation: The process of spore formation and release from fruiting bodies.
- Substrate: The material on which mycelium grows, providing necessary nutrients for fungal growth and development.
The Importance of Mycelium within Ecosystems
Mycelium is crucial in maintaining ecosystem health through decomposition, nutrient cycling, and symbiotic relationships with plants.
🛠 Decomposition
Mycelium secretes enzymes that decompose complex organic substances like cellulose, lignin, and proteins into simpler compounds. This decomposition process converts dead plant and animal matter into nutrient-rich organic materials. The organic material enriches the soil, improving its structure, fertility, and water retention capability, supporting plant growth and overall ecosystem health.
☁️ Nutrient Cycling
Mycelium plays a crucial role in the carbon cycle by decomposing organic matter, which releases carbon dioxide through respiration, similar to trees. This process returns carbon to the atmosphere, where plants can reuse it for photosynthesis.
Fungi are also part of the nitrogen cycle, decomposing nitrogen-rich organic matter and converting it into forms that are more accessible to plants. This includes transforming complex proteins into ammonia and nitrate, which plants can absorb and use for growth. However, bacteria primarily convert nitrogen into forms usable by plants (nitrification and nitrogen fixation).
👭 Symbiotic Relationships
Mycelium often forms mutually beneficial relationships with plant roots, known as mycorrhizae. These symbiotic relationships are essential for plant health and ecosystem well-being.
There are two main types of mycorrhizae: arbuscular mycorrhizae (AM) and ectomycorrhizae (EM).
- AM fungi: Penetrate root cells of plants, creating “arbuscules” (tree-shaped structures) that manage nutrient exchange.
- EM fungi: Form a sheath around plant roots and extend into the soil, enhancing nutrient absorption.
Mycorrhizal fungi extend the root systems of plants, increasing access to water, phosphorus, and other nutrients. In return, plants produce carbohydrates through photosynthesis. These associations improve plant health by enhancing nutrient absorption, increasing resistance to pathogens, and improving tolerance to environmental stress. Mycorrhizal fungi also help soil structure by binding soil particles together, forming aggregates that improve soil aeration and water retention.
As you can see, mycelium plays a significant role in many living organisms within ecosystems through its structure, growth, nutrient absorption, and symbiotic relationships.
By understanding these aspects deeper, we can actually understand the importance of mycelium in creating healthy ecosystems. This is the first step in learning about mycelium and its potential to transform our approach to sustainable materials.
To dive deeper into impactful mycelium applications, go to Part 2.
https://manaallakhani.medium.com/mycelium-101-the-applications-pt-2-2-5c256a74dd6a
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