The Basics Of Mold

all types of microscopic fungi. These fungi grow in

the shape of multicelluar filaments that are known as

hyphae. Molds can be in nature and it can even be found

inside your home and outside your home. Noboday  knows

for sure but there are an estimated 3,000 up to tens of

thousands of known mold species today. So Exactly Where

Does Mold

Grow?

Molds are a fungus, so like all fungi, they tend

to grow in most, damp enviroments that are often very

humid. However, there are some kinds  of mold that

are extremely adaptable and can live in harsh conditions

where you would not even think to look for it. Molds are

even capable of going into a certain type of hibernation

when the conditions around it are not just right for growth.

Unlike plants like grass or leaves, mold gets its energy not

from photosynthesis but from organic matter. Basically, molds

are great at breaking down natural organic matter

and turning it into food. That is the reason why mold is known

to be an invaluable part of decomposition because it

helps peak down matter so it can then be recycled naturally.

In addition to what molds can do in nature, people have also

found out that molds can help in the production of

certain foods as well. Foods like cheese, sausages, soy sauce

and tempeh are all made with types of cultured mold! Molds can

even be used in some drugs. Alexander Flemming discovered

penicillin thanks to the mold known as penicillium

chrysogenum. A few cholesterol-lowering drugs are created from

molds and even an autoimmune drug called cyclosporine is

derived from a type of mold.

Are There Health

Issues?

However, while molds are present everywhere in nature,

molds that grow indoors can cause a serious health risk

for anyone living in the vicinity. Small amounts of mold

usally do not cause issues, but larger amounts can cause

significant health problems because they produce mycotoxins. A

large amount of exposure to these mycotoxins can lead to

either neurological problems or death. Toxic mold refers to

molds that can produce those deadly toxins. Mold can also

cause damage to structures as well so it must be kept out of

the house at all costs.

Mold Is Not All

Bad

Without mold, organisms would decay slower; we also would

not have some of our neccesary antiobotics; and we would

even be losing out on some of our greatest foods! While it'

s a fact that mold can cause health problems, it is

in fact invaluable to the world.