The presence or absence of a volva and ring are important characteristics used for identifying these types of fungi. Some species have pores , spines or blunt ridges instead of gills. However, the reproductive structures of many fungi do not have the characteristic mushroom shape at all and range in size from the giant puffball to the tiny conidiogenous structures of moulds. The Ascomycota produce their spores inside a long cell called an ascus . The Basidiomycota form their spores externally on a club-like cell called a basidium.
Fungi play a vital role in nature.
Many are saprotrophs, living on dead organic matter such as leaf litter and have an important role in re-cycling. It has also been estimated that over 1000 species of insects and other creatures in the UK alone are dependent on fungi for food and shelter. Applications of fungi Some of the most important organisms used in biotechnology are fungi. Brewing and baking have been carried out for thousands of years and both are dependent on the conversion of sugar into alcohol and carbon dioxide by yeasts. In this century fungal fermentation has been harnessed to manufacture important therapeutic compounds, such as antibiotics and the cyclosporins used for preventing rejection of human organ transplants.