Molds: Structures, Types, and Importance to Us

By: Rohan RajeevPeriod 4-AP BiologyJanuary 26th,2009

Mold from the phylum Zygomycota.

Structure of Molds

Molds are very simple structures. Molds have a hard outer casing that sticks to wet surfaces, and after 24 hours, a single root sort of structure that is called a hypha emerges. These structure multiply and start to digest metals or minerals around them to feed the mold and grow. Molds grow best in wet and dark spaces. And on cheese, bread, and other edibles.

Mold structures.

Hyphae from mold spores

Types of molds:

There are over 400,000 identified molds, but they are classified into three different categories:

Allergenic molds-molds that usually affect people who have allergies.

Pathogenic molds-molds that produce infections, and can be life threatening to people with suppressed immune systems.

Toxogenic molds-molds that are toxic to almost everyone, health concerns are caused by myotoxins being released.

Importance of Molds-Pros

Molds are often thought of as bad and nasty, but they are better for humans than they are destructive.

Molds play a large part in the formation of antibiotics. The drug penicillin was formed using molds, and many more today are being developed.

Penecillium mold.

Importance of Molds-Cons

Molds are a cause for many deaths that can be easily prevented in the United States.

Molds are usually responsible for the following conditions in humans when exposed:

Immune system suppression  Respiratory problems including asthma and infections  Eye irritation with burning, watery or reddened eyes  Cough – dry and hacking  Nose or throat irritation or both  Skin rashes or irritation  Memory impairment  Irritable bowel syndrome  Body aches and pain (Chronic Fatigue)  Food Intolerances and allergies  Headaches  Mood swings  Nasal and sinus congestion

Video clips of molds.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eXcLVjHLl_o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXuRcEeKZOg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zll95wPaZ8o&feature=related

Time for Review!

What conditions are ideal for mold to grow in? What structures grow from the mold spore and

get minerals for the mold spore? What kind of mold triggers infections in people

with suppressed immune systems? What kind of mold was used to make Penicillin? Name the toxin that is excreted from Toxogenic

molds. Name two symptoms that are shown with

exposure to molds. Bonus: Who invented Penicillin?

Answers

Dark and wet places. Hyphae. Pathogenic molds. Penecillium. Myotoxins. Skin rashes…headaches…multiple.

Bonus: Alexander Flemming.