The Fungi Kingdom contains molds, mildews, rusts, smuts, yeasts, and mushrooms. Most fungi are saprophytic or parasitic. The saprophytes are helpful because they break down organic material returning nutrients to the soil. Yeasts are useful in the making of bread and fermented drinks.
Some parasitic fungi are actually human pathogens, causing athlete's foot and ringworm.
Hypha - the vegetative filament. Septum - perforated cross walls. The fungi cell wall is made of chitin , a complex polysaccharide found in insects. This distinguishes fungi from plants, which have a cell wall made of cellulose . Mycelium - a mat of interwoven hyphae.