Fungus is an important part of any ecosystem. Without them life as we know it would not exist. For more information about fungus click here.

However we are here to talk about pathogenic fungi.

Fungi can affect both plants and animals.

The three main groups which can cause disease to humans are mould, true yeast and fungi-like yeast.

This fungi releases its spores around the jungle floor. When an unsuspecting ant walks through the spores, they attach themselves to the skin. The spore borrow into the ants brain, and brain wash the ant into walking up to higher ground.

Once at the top of a branch, the fungus grows, killing the ant an immerging from its skull.

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Cordycep Fungi

The most common (however not lethal) fungi are those that affect the skin. Ringworm and Tinea grow on the moist warm area of the body.

Some fungi can produce toxins which are harmful to people. Aspergillus produces carcinogenic toxins (cancer causing toxins).

However, not all fungi are bad. In fact Cyclosporine is a product produced by fungi.

Cyclosporine has immuno-suppressive properties. Although this may sound bad, it is actually extremely important in medicine. This is used during transplants, to decrease the bodies rejection of foreign organs.

Another extremely important medical discovery from fungi is Penicillin. It is expected that fungi produce this as a defence against bacteria that are abundant in soil.