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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