The magic of fungi 真菌的神奇之处

时间:2024-03-07 03:26:51

(单词翻译:单击)

  The magic of fungi1 真菌的神奇之处
 
  在英国,真菌种类比植物的种类还要多,但科学家们对真菌的了解还相对较少。本期 “随身英语” 探讨蘑菇等真菌在厨房外扮演的重要角色以及这类生物很难研究的原因。
  词汇:nature 自然
  Fungi play an important role in ecosystems2, are a source of food, and make key contributions to the world of medicine. So, why do we know so little about them?
  An estimated two million fungal species – more than 90% of all fungi – have yet to be described by science, according to Rebecca Morelle, science reporter for the BBC. In the UK alone, there are thought to be around 25,000 species of fungi – five or six times more than plants. Scientists are trying to find out more about this largely unexplored world, but it is challenging. Dr Martyn Ainsworth, a senior researcher from Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, in London, says: 'We can grow a certain number in the lab, but there is a whole host of fungi that we cannot grow in the lab. This has held back a lot of research.'
  The fact that we know so little about the world of fungi leads many of us to misunderstand them. 'A lot of people are afraid of poisonous mushrooms', says Dr Jassy Drakulic, a plant pathologist, 'but only a very small proportion of the thousands of species of fungi in the world can cause disease'. Most are harmless and often beneficial, called by some 'the hidden helpers of our environment'. Some fungi provide food and shelter for wildlife, help plants absorb water and nutrients3 and recycle waste and dead matter. Other types of fungi grow on the roots of trees and plants, forming a huge underground network that helps nourish trees. 'Fungi are really the behind-the-scenes team that are doing all the work', adds Dr Ainsworth.
  So, next time you add mushrooms to your dinner, take a painkiller4 for a headache, or go for a walk through the woods, remember to thank the living things that made it all possible – fungi.
  词汇表
  fungi (复数)真菌,真菌类植物
  ecosystem 生态系统
  source of 来源
  make a contribution 作出贡献
  fungal species 真菌种类
  unexplored 未经研究的,无人涉足的
  botanic 植物(学)的
  lab 实验室
  a whole host of 许多,大量
  poisonous 有毒的
  proportion 部分,比例
  disease 疾病
  shelter 栖息地,住所
  wildlife 野生动植物
  absorb 吸收
  nutrient 养分,营养物
  waste 废物
  dead matter 枯死物,死亡有机物
  root 根部
  nourish 滋养

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1 fungi 6hRx6     
n.真菌,霉菌
参考例句:
  • Students practice to apply the study of genetics to multicellular plants and fungi.学生们练习把基因学应用到多细胞植物和真菌中。
  • The lawn was covered with fungi.草地上到处都是蘑菇。
2 ecosystems 94cb0e40a815bea1157ac8aab9a5380d     
n.生态系统( ecosystem的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • There are highly sensitive and delicately balanced ecosystems in the forest. 森林里有高度敏感、灵敏平衡的各种生态系统。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • Madagascar's ecosystems range from rainforest to semi-desert. 马达加斯加生态系统类型多样,从雨林到半荒漠等不一而足。 来自辞典例句
3 nutrients 6a1e1ed248a3ac49744c39cc962fb607     
n.(食品或化学品)营养物,营养品( nutrient的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • a lack of essential nutrients 基本营养的缺乏
  • Nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream. 营养素被吸收进血液。 来自《简明英汉词典》
4 painkiller eKMx4     
n.止痛药
参考例句:
  • I shall persuade him to take the painkiller.我将说服他把药吃下去。
  • The painkiller only provides him a short respite from his pain.止痛药仅仅让他在疼痛中有短暂的疏解。

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