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Lesson 12. Fungi and biomagnetism

12.1 Definition

Fungi (In Latin Fungus or Fungi, plural) are a very broad group of organisms formed from eukaryotic cells (with a defined cell nucleus). While plants have chlorophyll that allows them to obtain their own energy through photosynthesis and with it process inorganic compounds to produce their own tissues - autotrophic feeding -, fungi do not have the process of photosynthesis, so they require other organisms to get their food. In other words, they need to feed on organic matter, to produce their own tissues, which is known as heterotrophic feeding. Another characteristic of this kingdom is that its cell walls are rigid and composed of chitin, unlike plants, whose cell wall is composed of cellulose.

12.2 Types and classification

Until recently, fungi were considered within the kingdom of plants, but beyond the fact that they do not have their own mobility and have rigid walls, they share very few characteristics with plants; in fact, from a phylogenetic (evolutionary) point of view they are more related to the animal kingdom.
Within this group we have molds, yeasts and mushroom-producing organisms. There is a wide variety of species, of which, to date, science has been able to classify about 144,000 but it is estimated that they could reach up to 1.5 million. Fungi have adapted to living in different habitats and environments, so we can find them almost anywhere, in sizes from microscopic to a few centimeters. Fortunately, only some of them are pathogenic, while the vast majority are even beneficial for humans, such as a large number of yeasts that help process the food we eat.
The classification of fungi has been changing as they are separated from other kingdoms such as plants, protists or chromists. Currently we can state the following divisions:

12.2.1 Basidiomycete fungi (Basidiomycota). Those that develop mushrooms (basidicarps), from which the reproductive spores of the fungus are born.

12.2.2 Ascomycete fungi (Ascomycota). Those that instead of mushrooms have asci, spore-producing sex cells.

12.2.3 Glomeromycete fungi (Glomeromycota) Mycorrhizae, that is, symbiotic unions between a fungus and the roots of a plant, in which it first provides nutrients and water, and the second carbohydrates and vitamins that it cannot synthesize.

12.2.4 Zygomycete fungi (Zygomycota). Zygospore-forming molds, that is, spores capable of withstanding adverse conditions for a long time until they can finally germinate.

12.2.5 Chytridiomycete fungi (Chytridiomycota). Those microscopic and primitive fungi, generally aquatic, that reproduce by flagellate spores (zoospores).

12.3 Nutrition

Most fungi feed on decaying organic matter (H. saprophytes), which is why they are abundant in forest soils where decaying organic matter abounds.
Mycorrhizal fungi form a symbiotic relationship with plants, exchanging various nutrients generated by the fungus in exchange for carbohydrates and vitamins that the fungus is unable to synthesize.
When the symbiotic relationship occurs with algae then we speak of lichenized fungi. Sometimes the relationship is so close that they can almost be considered a single organism.
Finally, we have parasitic fungi that simply take nutrients from another living being and colonize it, often causing slight or lethal damage to the host.
As we can see, fungi play a very important role within ecosystems; either establishing symbiotic relationships with other species or being the first agents in the transformation of waste substances. The human being has also known how to take advantage of this kingdom by using them in the fermentation of foods such as bread and beer. We can also make rich and nutritious dishes with some species such as champignons or mushrooms.

12.4 Reproduction

Fungi reproduce both sexually and asexually, always through the production of spores; which are equivalent to the seeds of plants. Similar to a seed, a spore is very resistant to the environment, which gives it a better chance to wait for an environment conducive to germination. Once germinated, the spores can give rise to filaments called hyphae, which can grow up to 5mm per hour. The set of hyphae is called mycelium and it can be a danger due to its explosive growth, in this case the biomagnetic pair for mycelium intestinalis can be applied: pylorus - anus, ureter, uterus.
Some species may choose asexual reproduction when faster reproduction is needed; or sexual, when it is required to create greater genetic diversity from the exchange of genetic material with another individual of the species.

12.5 Pathogenic fungi for humans

Dermatophyte fungi. They are those that cause skin infections, very common in humans since almost all people, at some point in their lives, have suffered from one of these infections. We can classify them in:

  • - Geophilic Dermatophytes. When they inhabit the floors, they are infected by walking barefoot on damp floors, or in environments where spores abound such as attics, basements, cellars. They are also abundant in forest soils, where there is a humid environment rich in decomposing matter. The spores can enter the body through wounds in the skin or through the respiratory system, so they can cause allergic symptoms.
  • - Zoophiles, when they inhabit animals. Humans come into contact with a large number of vector species.
  • - Anthropophic. Those that are commonly present in humans. Special conditions of humidity and temperature are favorable for them, which makes them proliferate on the skin in regions with more sweating such as the armpits, groin or between the fingers. In these so-called superficial cases, biomagnetism treatment can be accompanied by a topical antifungal.

There are also several species that are part of the flora of the human body, present in the respiratory, digestive, or sexual organs (candida). In immunosuppressed patients such as cancer, HIV-AIDS, lupus, diabetes, uremia, etcetera; they can present as acute systemic mycosis, taking advantage of the weakness of the immune system, in these cases they can be considered opportunistic pathogens.
Some families such as Aspergillus can participate in cancerous processes by generating carcinogenic substances such as Alfatoxin B.

12.6 Treatment with biomagnetism

Among thousands of known species of fungi, only a hundred are harmful to humans; this figure rises to 300 if the person has a depressed immune system.
Fungi, like viruses, proliferate in acidic environments and are treated by applying the biomagnetic pair to achieve the body's energy balance. Biomagnetism treatment is as effective as it is with the rest of the pathogens. Currently there are more than 26 pairs to treat different disorders generated by species or families of fungi; in addition to having specific reservoirs for fungi such as the head-neck of the femur - head-neck of the femur pair.
Fungi can become especially pathogenic, especially when associated with other pathogens. Fungi become lethal when associated with viruses such as Pneumocystis C. which is associated with viruses such as HIV-AIDS or Coronavirus causing respiratory failure and acute pneumonia.

 

Complementary activities:

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