How does the life cycle of a fungus work?

Answer 1

Fungus starts off as spores. They land on a food source and sprout into little strands of silk like fiber called mycelia. These grow as they feed on the food and combine with other mycelia to combine genetics and produce what is known in mushroom fungus, rhizomorph mycelium. After the mycelium completely eats the entire food source and consolidates itself into one solid rhizomorphic mycelium network. It begins to produce hyphae knots that eventually grow into little mushroom pins, that mature into big mushrooms that drop the spores to complete the big circle of life we call mushrooms. Molds are also fungus that grow similar to mushroom fungus, but instead of producing fruiting bodies, they just produce spores on the surface of the mycelium itself. That's why molds are colorful, the spores they produce are whats colored.

Answer 2

The life cycle of a fungus typically involves several stages: spore germination, hyphae growth, and reproduction. It starts with the release of spores from a mature fungus. When conditions are favorable, the spores germinate and form hyphae, which are thread-like structures that grow and branch out, forming a mycelium. The mycelium then reproduces through sexual or asexual reproduction, producing more spores and completing the life cycle.